Kyrgios once stepped in to get three fans kicked out of Australian Open final
Nick Kyrgios risked the wrath of a home crowd when he asked for three rowdy fans to be removed by security staff during the Australian Open back in 2022.
The brash former World No. 16's spellbinding run to the doubles showpiece alongside fellow homegrown ace Thanasi Kokkinakis made them the year's surprise package. To the delight of the patriotic crowd at the Rod Laver Arena, they eventually got over the line in the final to become the first all-Australian men's duo to win since 1997.
Dispatching of their countrymen in straight sets, their victory was never really in doubt at any point at Melbourne Park. Still, bad boy Kyrgios was determined to ensure they saw out the win - even going to the lengths of getting a trio of disruptive spectators ejected during the second set.
With the eventual winning pairing a set and a break up in the final, the star took issue with after a fan shouted out - much to his annoyance. At that point, an incensed Kyrgios roared "get the f*** out" before umpire Damian Dumusois eventually stepped in to issue a reminder to the crowd.
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Pleading with the spectators to remain composed, he asserted: "Ladies and gentlemen, I think everybody is enjoying the match so please, one or two spectators are totally ruining the game by screaming," before adding: "Just as player are serving. So please, once again stop."
Later, Kyrgios reflected on the incident as he conceded that the scenes were simply a by-product of the fervour he and partner Kokkinakis had helped to generate. He said: "I would say we’ve created the best atmosphere this tournament has ever seen to be brutally honest."
"The ratings speak for themselves. People watch my matches," he continued as he acknowledged his box office bankability both on home turf and further afield, before expressing sympathy for the fans, adding: "I don’t think the people screaming out before points are produced by us."
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The controversial moment as a member of the security staff removed some unruly spectators after Nick Kyrgios' outburst (Eurosport)The controversial one-time Wimbledon men's singles finalist again defended the antics of the crowds at the Melbourne tournament more recently. As he prepares to miss the Open in 2024, he took issue with comments made by compatriot Pat Cash, who claimed that spectators Down Under had been unruly in recent times.
The two-time Australian Open champion confessed: "I think the Australian crowds in the last 10 years have got a little out of control. Cheer on your countrymen, no problems, but they're not representing your country, they're individual and I think we need to understand that."
These assertions did not go down with the outspoken Kyrgios who defended the fans, replying: "[It was an] Absolutely stupid comment by another old head that has no idea how marketing or how things work in today's day and age. You need entertainment. This generation doesn't have a long attention span.
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