One of the most publicized tennis incidents in the open era and certainly in this social media-driven age produced a 24-hour (and still going?) whirlwind of emotions. At the heart of it, of course, was Nick Kyrgios–and to a lesser extent Stan Wawrinka.
What turned downright shocking in the second set of Wednesday night’s third-round match at the Rogers Cup between Kyrgios and Wawrinka got its root early in the opening frame of play. After Wawrinka broke back for 2-2, he offered an emphatic “come on,” perhaps in the direction of his opponent.
That’s when Kyrgios fired off his first slander (that Wawrinka is “banging an 18-year-old”), which went mostly under the radar:
It reached a zenith in the second when the Swiss asked Kyrgios to wait before hitting a second serve, clearly upset with the 20-year-old for trying to play too fast with a lineswoman still moving behind him.
After Kyrgios blasted a service winner, he quipped: “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend; I’m sorry to tell you that, mate.”
Wawrinka eventually retired with a lower-back injury while trailing 4-0 in the third set. But that is hardly where the story ends. As the world No. 5 said himself, it continued into the locker room, where–according to Wawrinka–Kyrgios tried to avoid a meeting but was “confronted.”
The French Open champion didn’t stop there.
So disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague be so disrespectful in a way I could never even imagine.
—
Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015What was said I wouldn't say to my worst enemy.
To stop so low is not only unacceptable but also beyond belief.
—
Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body of this sport does not stand...
—
Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015... for this and stands up for the integrity of this sport that we have worked so hard to build.
—
Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015Kyrgios finally offered a public apology on Thursday morning, via Facebook:
The Australian also had a match to play: a third-round showdown against red-hot American John Isner. Given Isner’s form (he won the Atlanta title two weeks ago and reached the Washington, D.C. final last week) and the controversy swirling around Kyrgios, Thursday’s result could not have surprised anyone. Nor could the crowd’s treatment.
Kyrgios double-faulted away the only two breaks of the contest on his way to a 7-5, 6-3 loss. The fans roared their approval on both occasions.
They also booed Kyrgios off the court.
Kyrgios has been fined $10,000 by the ATP for his actions. More could be forthcoming. Stay tuned….
