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Awkward detail in photo of Nick Kyrgios at the US Open
Nick Kyrgios hit the practice court at Flushing Meadows ahead of the final grand slam of the year.
au.sports.yahoo.com
Awkward detail in photo of Nick Kyrgios at the US Open
Sam Goodwin
Sports Editor
Yahoo Sport Australia21 Aug 2019, 1:01 pm
With no word from the ATP about a possible suspension, Nick Kyrgios has hit the practice court at the US Open ahead of the final grand slam of the year.
After Kyrgios was hit with the biggest fine in ATP history for his explosive meltdown at the Cincinnati Masters, officials said they were investigating whether a suspension for the Aussie was also required.
However the ATP has either decided not to suspend Kyrgios, or the investigation is still going.
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Either way, Kyrgios was at Flushing Meadows on Monday and Tuesday preparing for the US Open as normal.
However when he hit the practice court on Tuesday, he came face-to-face with a player he recently called the “most arrogant person ever”.
That’s right - Kyrgios and Fernando Verdasco were practicing on adjacent courts.
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It would have made for some awkward moments after Kyrgios’ extraordinary swipe at the Spanish player back in May.
While also taking aim at Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in an infamous rant, Kyrgios shredded Verdasco.
“Verdasco drives me nuts, man. That guy … I don’t even want to talk about it,” he told tennis journo Ben Rothenberg.
“It gets me so vexed, I’m like angry now that I just hear that name. He’s the most arrogant person ever.
“He doesn’t say hello, he thinks he’s so good, he thinks he’s God’s gift.
“Dude, your backhand’s pretty average and let’s be honest, you hit a ball over a net.
“Guy’s like that, they drive me insane. There’s no humility there, there’s no perspective, it’s just like, ‘I’m here, I’m so cool, I’m unbelievable because I hit a ball over the net. Do this for me, do this for me, I won’t say hello to you, I’m too important’.”
Fernando Verdasco and Nick Kyrgios practiced side-by-side. Image: Wilfy/Twitter
Kyrgios ‘needs serious help’
Former women's tennis star Daniela Hantuchova has added her weight to the wave of criticism around Kyrgios.
Speaking during her commentary duties for Amazon Prime, Hantuchova said Kyrgios' problems extend beyond just his attitude on the tennis court.
"He actually needs serious help," the Slovakian said.
"Not only on the tennis stuff but I think on his life in general because that’s the reason he’s behaving how he is on the tennis court.
"I think he has so many issues going on outside the court."
Hantuchova’s co-caller and former men's World No.4 Greg Rusedski agreed - insisting the Aussie needed to work harder at cleaning up his act.
"Last time he got pushed out of the game and had to take time away from it," Rusedksi said.
Nick Kyrgios in action during a practice session before the start of the US Open. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
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"You look [now] and did that really work? He hired a sports psychologist, did it make a difference in his behaviour?
"I think he needs a regular therapist to deal with other issues so he can behave himself on the court.
"And he has to believe in these things because he is such a talented player. But his performance on the court was unacceptable."
