Combustible Australian Nick Kyrgios has apologised to his team after hurling abuse in the direction of his supporters’ box during his second-round triumph over Gilles Simon at the Australian Open.
The tennis bad boy has drawn widespread praise after spearheading fundraising efforts to support victims of the bushfires that have ravaged parts of his home country in recent weeks.
For the most part, Kyrgios has also been on his best behaviour on the court after entering the 2020 season with a 16-week suspended ban hanging over his head after multiple incidents last year.
But while he didn’t violate any rules on Tuesday night, the 24-year-old did unleash a torrent of abuse at his support crew after dropping the third set to Simon.
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"F**k me, say something," Kyrgios, who felt he wasn’t getting adequate support from his entourage, yelled.
He then mocked one of his supporters who offered encouragement during the opening game of the fourth set.
"So creative. So creative....so creative," he said in disgust.
“’Stay tough’, so creative. What a joke."
The world No.26 has been largely unapologetic for his antics throughout his tumultuous career.
But a seemingly more mature Kyrgios offered a full-throated apology at his post-match press conference.
“My behaviour towards my box tonight was not acceptable,” he said.
“In my next match, I don’t want to do that.
“I was being a bit of a d***head to them. I apologised as soon as I went back into the locker room.
“They don't deserve that. They do a lot of things for me on and off the court.
“… It's not acceptable from me. Nothing to do with them.”
Kyrgios revealed he also had harsh words with himself after dropping the third set against the wily Simon.
“I lost my way a little bit in the third set and I just put my head down and I told myself, ‘just cut the bullshit and just get to work’,” he said.
“And I got the break at 5-all so it was a good feeling to get through that.”
