Kyrgios penalised for using F word during loss

INDIAN WELLS • Nick Kyrgios made an explosive exit from tennis' Indian Wells Masters on Saturday but his feuding Davis Cup team-mate Bernard Tomic made it safely through to the third round.

While Tomic dispatched American Rajeev Ram 6-4, 7-5 in his opener after a first-round bye, Kyrgios was warned for swearing during his 6-7 (4-7), 5-7 loss to Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his first match since missing Australia's Davis Cup loss to the United States with a virus.

At 2-2 in the second set, French chair umpire Damien Dumusois said Kyrgios had used foul language and docked the player a point.

"You used the F word," Dumusois said. Kyrgios protested and, after briefly taking a seat in the crowd, he approached the umpire.

"I didn't say anything," he said.

Dumusois replied: "Nick. You know we are strict on the F word... I have a report from an official. I trust him."

At the ensuing changeover, after falling behind 2-3, Kyrgios was heard on the television broadcast pleading emotionally with Dumusois.

"What the f**k just happened?" Kyrgios said.

"Please Nick, stop using F words," the official responded.

"I didn't say anything mate," Kyrgios was heard saying. "I don't wanna play anymore, this is b******t."

The Australian's latest outburst comes less than a month after the expiration of his 28-day suspended ban for aggravated behaviour.

The 20-year-old incurred the wrath of the ATP for his unsavoury sledging of Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters last August.

Last week, Kyrgios became embroiled in another spat when Tomic accused him of feigning illness to miss Australia's Davis Cup tie in Melbourne that the hosts lost 1-3.

Tomic said he would lose respect for Kyrgios if Kyrgios played in Indian Wells after pulling out of the Davis Cup tie, before the pair were pitted in the same quarter of the draw in the Californian desert.

But Kyrgios' loss to Ramos-Vinolas has scuppered any possibility of a spicy confrontation this week at the tournament, which saw Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, fourth seed Garbine Muguruza and Spanish star Carla Suarez Navarro knocked out in the second round on Saturday.

THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

ATP INDIAN WELLS MASTERS

Day 5: StarHub Ch201, tomorrow, 4am

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 14, 2016, with the headline Kyrgios penalised for using F word during loss. Subscribe