Nick Kyrgios arguing with the umpire. (Image: Eurosport.)
raged at an umpire after his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis was given a code violation for hitting the ball out of play.
Kokkinakis was pulled up in the first set against Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth for launching the ball into the stands in frustration, before he and Kyrgios later retired.
But the former finalist felt that the punishment did not fit the crime, telling the umpire between points: “Full stadium of people here, and he [Kokkinakis] doesn’t have to be here.
“And he sends a ball out and you’re going to give a code violation? But it’s not unsportsmanlike? I’m just saying read the game a bit more. I am just saying you don’t need to do that.”
He then turned to Kokkinakis and complained at the possibility of his partner receiving a financial penalty, as a fine could be deducted from his prize money, with Kyrgios saying: “Lose money, for what?”
It remains to be seen whether or not Kokkinakis will be punished, with his hit into the crowd potentially considered ‘abuse of balls’ by the umpire.
The ninth article of the Code of Behaviour violations from Tennis Australia states: “Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precinct except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up).”
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in action. (Image: Getty)
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In the second set, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis shook hands with their opponents early and retired, likely owing to the latter’s injury concerns, which were exacerbated in defeat to .
There was , which could be Kyrgios’ last-ever at the , would be played as scheduled at all.
After exiting singles to British rising star Jacob Fearnley, Kyrgios claimed that . Exiting in the doubles first round could be his last Melbourne appearance if he retires at the end of the season.
But Kokkinakis joined Kyrgios on the treatment table and did little to allay fears over the possibility of his own fitness concerns causing them to pull out of the match.
“I don’t want… I feel like I’m letting him down, letting people down,” Kokkinakis said after going out in five sets to . “But yeah, I don’t know, I won’t be able to lift my arm tomorrow. So we’ll see. Unless we’re both playing with underarm serves, it’s looking pretty unlikely.
“I’m going to speak to a bunch of experts after, probably tomorrow, as soon as I can clear my head and don’t want to punch a wall. Try to work out what’s next.
“But yeah, it’s clear that what I’m doing isn’t working. It’s a few tough decisions to make. I can keep doing what I’m doing now, hang around this ranking and have some good wins and a couple good matches and show promise.
“But in the back of my mind, I know I can’t progress deep in tournaments. Or I try to get something done and give myself a crack at being where I think I could be.”