London (AFP)
The controversial Nick Kyrgios once again rushed into the stretcher on Thursday in his victory over Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of the Queen's grass tournament, before being eliminated a few hours and a lap later.
The whimsical Australian, 39th world player, has accused a line judge of "rigging the match" before making fun of the referee's hat.
Back on the courts in the early evening - the schedule of matches was turned upside down by the rain fell Tuesday and Wednesday on London - Kyrgios was eliminated in the second round by the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets 6-7 ( 7/4), 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
In his first match, the 24-year-old who has earned a sulphurous reputation for his temper tantrums, unpredictable behavior and punchy media outings, did not appreciate a decision by a line judge on a service, threatening to leave the court.
"The ball was for lack of that, I'm going away, I'm not going to give myself 100% when I have line judges faking the game." I do not want to play, "he said. before changing his mind.
The man who threw a chair on the court before leaving it in Rome in May was much calmer this time: he pretended to lose interest in the match, regularly throwing an eye over the tarpaulins to watch a another match.
Finally, not content to win against Carballes Baena (7-6 (7/4) 6-3), 72nd in the ATP standings, the Australian was allowed to make fun of the hat of the referee Fergus Murphy.
"It's a joke, man, it's a serious joke, like your ridiculous hat, it's not even nice," he quipped.
? 2019 AFP