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
Haha again… falls all on me. Umpires seem to make these mistakes a little too often. A lot of players seemed dissatisfied with the performance of them this week in Houston. More punishment? Potentially new umpires? Semi final, ‘I missed it nick’ on clay 5-5 in the second set 😂 https://t.co/twdrC5Npwv
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#ATPpic.twitter.com/SD0se9o4zA
