Australian Nick Kyrgios says he is trying hard not to be seen as a tennis bully again at the US Open.
However, the Wimbledon finalist has already been fined 7500 US dollars for his disorderly conduct during his second round win over Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. The increased fines have so far “had no effect” on Kyrgios, said national tennis coach Barbara Rittner to eurosport.de: “His frustration tolerance seems to be very low.”
On top of that, Kyrgios has already earned 278,000 US dollars just for reaching the last 16 at the last Grand Slam tournament of the year – 37 times his fine. In the round of the best 16, however, the temperamental Australian might not only reach his emotional limits: Awaiting as his opponent on Monday night (1.00 a.m. CEST/Eurosport) is defending champion and world number one Daniil Medvedev, who has yet to drop a single set in his three matches so far.
“For someone who has had trouble focusing in his career, I’m really trying to keep my head down and play point by point,” the 27-year-old Kyrgios said. But he said that was difficult for him in the always unsettled atmosphere at the Flushing Meadows Park facility. “There are a lot of distractions here, heckling as well. People are saying things. I have to be careful with what I say.”
That plan had not worked after the match against Bonzi. Before spitting angrily on the court and insulting his own team in the players’ box, he had complained to the referee about the smell of marijuana in the second session: “Won’t you remind them again not to do it?”.