Nick Kyrgios had a huge meltdown straight after losing a five-set epic to Karen Khachanov at the US Open 2022, sparking a massive social media outburst with most users calling the Australian an 'embarrassment'.
Nick Kyrgios displayed another racquet-smashing meltdown after losing to Karen Khachanov in a five-set thriller at Tuesday's US Open 2022 quarter-finals. The Australian went down to the Russian 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 4-6 in three hours and 39 minutes at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
A meltdown from Nick Kyrgios after losing in the US Open quarterfinal! pic.twitter.com/hUTaihlTBF
— Third and Five Podcast (@thirdandfivepod)After failing to convert on his final break point opportunity, Kyrgios shook hands with Khachanov at the net. Then, a crowd filmed footage captured him smashing his racquet four times with incredible force.
After receiving a total of 25,000 dollars in fines during the tournament, Kyrgios is certain to receive yet another sizable one, and it would be no surprise to learn that he hurt his wrist during the night's final smash.
Also read: US Open 2022: Fans stunned as Nick Kyrgios knocks out defending champion Daniil Medvedev
It took the shine off what was truly a tremendous effort by the Australian, who battled back many times and forced the match into a fifth set despite countless situations where all hope seemed lost.
Although Kyrgios fought until the very end when he could have given up in the past, this was a depressing conclusion to a revolutionary summer for him. He had a great chance to become the first Australian Major winner because there was no other champion in the field.
Also read: US Open 2022: Kyrgios trolled for complaining of marijuana smell during win over Bonzi
Instead, the muscular and slightly robotic Khachanov, who maintained his focus well, will now compete against Casper Ruud of Norway for a spot in the championship.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios' antics have sparked yet another social media outrage, with tennis lovers calling him a 'clown', 'national embarrassment' and more. Several memes, too, are doing the rounds after yet another racquet smashing incident.
Here's a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
What a disgusting, childish, disrespectful, immature tool. Imagine if I or anyone else who I played Aussie rules football, baseball or OZtag with, did anything remotely like this after losing a game, losing a final or losing a premiership. https://t.co/Ypw8NrXTVX
— Martin Walsh 🇺🇦 (@martinwalsh)Clown. https://t.co/nQ05q2XPIF
— Irascible Me (@irascibleme)Pathetic. He’s a national embarrassment. https://t.co/wZjABwyW0u
— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01)When he reaches for the second racket, it was giving Scary Movie 2 https://t.co/aSOdABbHJS pic.twitter.com/8CE54KyP9F
— Maria Lewis (@moviemazz)Fucking embarrassing behaviour. when will you grow out of acting like an absolute dickhead? Aren't you a little old to be behaving like a spoiled toddler? https://t.co/S04jqwspAA
— weiner soldier (@Aimdiddles)His ex reminds him of tennis rackets https://t.co/jeDuHmici3 pic.twitter.com/dfb8H1BLzQ
— Lachy🐓🤦♂️ (@CandyGram5Mong0)Nick Kyrgios when the voice command on his tv doesn’t work https://t.co/H3mNHQPwQ3 pic.twitter.com/PDawzlT8Mj
— Super Hans (@no_context_Hans)Slamming water bottles and a racquet, Kyrgios modeled extremely poor sportsmanship for younger players. no excuses for tantrums.He dropped the Fbomb loudly and raged. Many lost tremendous respect for him tonight.
— JBrobergMaine (@BrobergMaine)Why does anyone cheer for the racquet throwing, water ball smashing, f-bomb screaming, crybaby Kyrgios?
— Ken Warren (@Citizenkwarren)Seriously no warning for audible obscenity and racquet abuse the umpire sleeping or afraid of nick.
— Return To Innocence (@SRIDHAR577)Dear Kyrgios,
Stop cursing, smacking cameras and throwing your racquet.
Sincerely,
Everyone
Kyrgios nooooo 😭😭😭😭 (also RIP racquet)
— Adam Waltz (@Adam_Waltz)Apart from this being shameful behaviour and Kyrgios being a bad role model do you have any idea how many poor children would never be able to own such an expensive racquet? You just smashed 2 with impunity. Why not control your tantrum and donate it to charity ffs? https://t.co/r4e9K1Hf7H
— Niftytomato 🇺🇲🇬🇧🇿🇦🇮🇱 (@niftytomato3)There seems to be an entirely different set of rules for the a$$ Kyrgios. Swearing nearly every point, slamming his racquet on the ground MULTIPLE times and absolutely NO WARNING & … it’s DISGUSTING. And trying to bully the chair umpire. CLEAN IT UP !!!!!
— Rafa Vamos‼️ 𝑃ℎ𝐷 🐐🏈🏀🎾 (@PhDSportsEQ)