Video: Crazy Kyrgios involved in sock-changing stoush

nick kyrgios

MORE: Video: Kyrgios gives up, 'tanks' second set | 'Tanking' Kyrgios' extraordinary Wimbledon exit

It was a bizarre showing from the 20-year-old Canberra boy who tanked, cursed, hugged and generally crawled his way to an embarrassing loss in the fourth round against Frenchman and world number 20, Richard Gasquet. 

On paper it seemed as though Kyrgios took it up to the world number 20, but in reality the 7-5, 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (8-6) loss was marred by the fact that Kyrgios appeared to stop trying during the fourth game of the second set. 

Amidst Kyrgios’ tantrum, which included him deliberately throwing a number of games, and hugging a ballboy in a particularly cringeworthy and awkward moment, was possibly the strangest exchange seen on a tennis court since the likes of John McEnroe in the 80s and early 90s. 

During the third set, Kyrgios and the chair umpire engaged in a disagreement over the time it was taking for the Australian to change his socks. 

Kyrgios fired back at the umpire saying: “Rafa [Nadal] and stuff take 30 seconds between points… I’m just changing my socks. Do you want to ask him? Richard, I’m just changing my socks.”

Kyrgios then continued, “See, he’s fine,” before muttering under his breath, “Unbelievable.” 

It was one of the most incredible scenes on a tennis court in a long time, and given the fact that countryman Bernard Tomic was heavily criticised for giving up on court last year, it would seem that Kyrgios is likely to come under the same scrutiny in the aftermath of his efforts on Monday night.

Author(s)