News

Nick Kyrgios loses his cool at Houston Open, as umpire admits error

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2022

Holly Stearnes

Kyrgios erupts in fury at the umpire after a missed call in the Houston Open semi-final

Another week, another meltdown at an umpire from Tennis star Nick Kyrgios.

Kyrgios was on serve to stay in the match when a return from American third seed Reilly Opelka appeared to be out.

The umpire missed the call from his seat, and let the match carry on, with Opelka eventually taking the win 6-3 7-5.

Kyrgios saw red, swearing at the umpire’s mistake on the missed call.

The Umpire did eventually admit it was his error but says if he’s not 100% sure he can’t make the call from his seat.

“What do you mean you don’t know from there? Where are you supposed to sit then if you can’t see it?”
Nick kyrgios

That’s why I called it in…If I’m not 100 per cent, I can’t call it out from here. And I can’t check the line.”
umpire Joshua Brace

It was out bro
Nick kyrgios

“If it was out, then I did miss it”
umpire Joshua Brace

It’s f**king out, it’s out of bounds on clay, how are you not calling it? How?”
Nick kyrgios

“It’s an absolute joke bro. How are you missing that? How? I can’t do anything on clay though. It’s up to you guys to make that call. I can’t stop mid point.”
Nick kyrgios

“I believe you now, I made a mistake.”
umpire Joshua Brace

“You may as well call the game, because the whole media’s going to think it was my fault for that call, right? So how about you come down to the media and say, ‘I did a terrible job today’?”
Nick kyrgios

https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1512941390962958336?s=20&t=0Id-DsOOsRxEDHEry742Gg

Clay court challenges

The Houston Open is played on a clay court meaning there is no Hawkeye view of the court, with Kyrgios unable to simply challenge it.

However, commentators say that Kyrgios could have stopped the point if he firmly believed it was out. This would have enabled the umpire to check the mark on the clay court.

Post-match commentators are questioning the ability of the umpire’s view of the line and the need for potential changes to this.

However, fans were still not impressed with Kygrios’ tantrum which could cost him a hefty fine.

Another meltdown from Nick Kyrgios at an umpire. It’s getting ridiculous. The ATP has let this go on for far too long. It’s not just Kyrgios and there’s always been scenes like this but they’re so common now, it’s a blight on the sport. #Tennis #ATP pic.twitter.com/SD0se9o4zA
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) April 9, 2022