NICK KYRGIOS in a Wimbledon final was always going to be box office.
And he ensured it would be exactly that with his usual tantrums, rants and expletive-laded explosions at his own camp – all just yards from eight-year-old Prince George.
Nick Kyrgios exploded with rage at various points during his Wimbledon final
He berated his team throughout plenty of changeovers and wanted more vocal support
Kyrgios’ box, second left to right, included his dad, sister, mate, fitness coach and girlfriend
Kyrgios, 27, reached his maiden Grand Slam final but was left dreaming about what might have been after taking the first set against Novak Djokovic.
But the Serbian stormed back to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 in three hours and one minute.
However, he was helped by infamous hot-head Nick Kyrgios losing his cool in the 29C Wimbledon heat.
Here’s how the drama unfolded…
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Set 1
Well this was all rather tame and mild.
Kyrgios was dialled in, he was focused and he was at his brilliant tennis best.
He barely let out a peep as he took the opener 6-4 and was two sets away from glory.
Set 2
In the fourth game of the second set saw Kyrgios drop his serve to love and then came the first bit of nattering.
But it was at 5-3 where he really let rip – and understandably so.
The Aussie raced into a 0-40 lead on the Djokovic serve, aiming to break back and keep the set alive.
But after two break points went missing, he bellowed: “Say something,” at this player box – desperate for his fitness trainer, family, friends and girlfriend Costeen to be pumped up and more vocal in their support.
A fourth break point came and went as someone called out during the point and then came the first F-bomb of the afternoon – right in front of the Royal Box.
“Is this big enough for you?” he shouts at the box in his chair after Djokovic levelled the match.
Set 3
And this is where things really exploded into life.
It started at 1-1 as he berated his box but really ignited at 2-2.
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Kyrgios came close to a time violation as the shot clock neared zero before missing the first serve – then a lady called out before his second serve and he described it as a “f***ing joke” within earshot of the future King of England – and Australia.
That earned him a code violation for an audible obscenity – and to rub salt into the wound he double faulted to bring it back to deuce.
Two big serves closed out the game but he is not happy and makes it clear to the chair umpire, demanding the “drunk woman” is booted out.
When Renaud Lichtenstein says he can’t identify who it was, Kyrgios has no problem helping him out.
Kyrgios was not afraid to belt out F-bombs just in front of the Royal Box
Kate, George and Wills appeared to enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment despite the fruity language
He said: “That one. She’s drunk out of her mind in the first row.
“The one who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks bro, talking to me in every single point.”
That prompted Gary Lineker to tweet: “I have to say, his bonkersness makes it fun to watch.”
Rest assured, there was plenty more to come for Gary and the rest watching on from home.
At 3-3, he fell down 15-30 on serve, he shouted at his box: “I can’t do anything! Do you f***ing care or not? It doesn’t feel like it!”
Again, Kyrgios recovers to hold, before adding: “Do you know how hard it is to ace the guy three times in a row?”
And we weren’t done there.
Kyrgios got to 40-0 on serve at 4-4 but Djokovic hauled himself back to deuce where the world No40 double faulted.
Kyrgios was on his best behaviour and barely said a word in the first set
The verbals started in the second set but intensified in the third
A backhand into the net handed Djokovic the all-important break – Kyrgios lost his head, the set and ultimately the match thanks to this brain freeze.
As Djokovic spends the change of ends drinking water, rehydrating and focusing on how he will serve out the set, Kyrgios spends the full 60 seconds blasting his entourage.
He said: “Every time, you’re relaxed! Why? Say something!
“Why? Why? 40-0, 40-15, ahhh!
“Why do you stop – why don’t you say something. Why do you get so relaxed?
“40-0 and you relax! Why do you get to 40-15, deuce and then start. FINISH THE GAME!”
Djokovic held to win the third set.
Set 4
Kyrgios had a long, long quiet sit down before the fourth set and took until the changeover five games later to rant once more.
Again at his box, again after getting to 40-0 and then dropping the next couple of points.
“Have we not learnt yet? Have we not? No?”
Costeen Hatzi has been supporting her boyfriend throughout the tournament
Kyrgios leaves the All England Club with the runner-up trophy
Then at 3-3 40-15, the automated vibration machine indicates a let on his first serve – although you-know-who questioned the technology.
He fumed at Lichtenstein: “It wasn’t a let though!”
It was a far-better-behaved Kyrgios through the remainder of the fourth set, knowing he needed to win the set to stay in the final.
But in the 5-5 game, he was done over by a couple of incorrect line calls and made sure the chair umpire was well informed about his need to ration challenges – and questioned the Frenchman’s ability or willingness to intervene.
He raged: “I am just relying on the challenges. I am in a very difficult position – you have no authority, no confidence to overrule.
“I’m in a tricky position.
“What happens if that forehand was in? You’re not going to overrule.”
And as Kyrgios went down in the tie-break, he again demanded more input and encouragement from his support team.
He belted: “Not one person has said anything.
“Why are you all scared for? I don’t get it!
“Why are you here, any of you!”
Press conference
Unsurprisingly, Kyrgios was asked about some of the incidents during the three-hour showpiece.
He added: “I think the other 126 players in the draw could improve their composure.
“But at times out there, obviously I was getting angry a bit because I just looked at it as you win this tournament, you become the tennis immortal I feel. It was just an opportunity for me that people work their entire life for.
“I wouldn’t say the woman cost me the game. I’m playing the Wimbledon final against probably one of the best players of all time.
“I don’t need someone absolutely smashed talking to me point in, point out.
“I’m all for having a great time.
“I’ve been on a couple of nights out in my life, and I knew that she had too many.
“I feel like that’s when you got to maybe give her a water or take her out.”
