There's hope for Kyrgios yet

Dawn Fraser

McEnroe, the biggest brat tennis has ever known, weighed in on Nick Kyrgios’ fourth round meltdown overnight, saying: “He should have admitted he lost it for that period of time.

“He’ll realise tomorrow he made an ass out of himself.”

McEnroe would know a thing or two about that, having had run-ins with umpires and linesmen for years. Nothing Kyrgios has ever pulled even comes close to this epic McEnroe tantrum. Or this one. Or this one.

The problem with Kyrgios during his confounding fourth round Wimbledon loss to Richard Gasquet wasn’t even the racquet throwing, the swearing or the yelling at his support crew.

All that stuff goes hand in hand with his on-court persona. That’s who he is. That’s why he’s the most exciting tennis player to watch right now.

What really pisses you off is the petulant post match press conferences full of sarcastic replies.

It smacks of a complete lack of accountability.

When questioned about whether he stopped trying during the second set against Gasquet, the Canberran replied in typically juvenile fashion.

“Do you want to try to return Richard Gasquet’s serve? I’ll give you the racquet and we’ll see how many times you can return his serve.”

Earlier in the tournament, when asked whether he was worried about receiving a fine for his “dirty scum” outburst, he said: “Do I fear getting fined? It wouldn’t bother me one bit.

“Why did you refer to yourself as a dirty scum? ‘Cause I can.”

Cause I can.

Kyrgios still thinks he can do anything he wants and damn the consequences.

Ironically, that’s what Dawn Fraser still seems to think as well.

For different reasons, they’re both finding out today that they can’t.

At 77-years-old it’s far too late for Fraser. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

But there is still hope for Kyrgios.

Hopefully he does realise he “made a bit of an ass out of himself” and grows from it.

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