Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis may have set up a dream all-Australian men's doubles final — but it came after an ugly tantrum that sparked outrage from the tennis world.
The result, however, was overshadowed by the standard debate surrounding Kyrgios' on-court antics and the uncouth behaviour of the passionate fans that have cheered him on.
Kyrgios has been savagely roasted for an act of ultimate hypocrisy in the middle of the fiesty second set where the match appeared to be slipping from the Special Ks' grasp.
Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge told Channel 9 Kyrgios was lucky not to be given a second code violation for his explicit language.
The real drama came at the change of ends when Kyrgios berated the chair umpire to control the fans that appeared to be yelling out during his service motions.
The heckling in the middle of a service motion is something Kyrgios has encouraged from his fans all tournament — just not when it is his turn, apparently.
The extraordinary hypocrisy in his words were not lost on Aussie tennis commentators.
Nick Kyrgios complains to the chair umpire about the crowd in Rod Laver Arena.
Nick Kyrgios complains to the chair umpire about the crowd in Rod Laver Arena.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis may have set up a dream all-Australian men's doubles final — but it came after an ugly tantrum that sparked outrage from the tennis world.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will take on fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell in the final after defeating Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 6-4 in front of a rowdy crowd in Rod Laver Arena.
The result, however, was overshadowed by the standard debate surrounding Kyrgios' on-court antics and the uncouth behaviour of the passionate fans that have cheered him on.
Kyrgios has been savagely roasted for an act of ultimate hypocrisy in the middle of the fiesty second set where the match appeared to be slipping from the Special Ks' grasp
Leading 4-2, Kyrgios' serve was broken and it prompted a typically petulant meltdown where the polarising player turned on his own fans.
After pitching a tennis ball into the back wall with an angry throw, Kyrgios lost it when opposition duo Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos secured the break.
Kyrgios destroyed his racquet and was handed a code violation warning.
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Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge told Channel 9 Kyrgios was lucky not to be given a second code violation for his explicit language.
The real drama came at the change of ends when Kyrgios berated the chair umpire to control the fans that appeared to be yelling out during his service motions.
The heckling in the middle of a service motion is something Kyrgios has encouraged from his fans all tournament — just not when it is his turn, apparentl
42-year first: Kyrgios and Kokkinakis set up all-Aussie final
The extraordinary hypocrisy in his words were not lost on Aussie tennis commentators.
Woodbridge described it as "a little contradictory"
Former Aussie player Sam Groth said: "Kyrgios unhappy with the crowd yelling between serves. Not very different to what we have been hearing all week, to be honest.
"Maybe it is acceptable on Kia Arena and not Rod Laver Arena."
Other Aussie sport commentators including radio personality Mark Levy were even more scathing.
"Nick Kyrgios wants the chair umpire to control the crowd that he whips into a frenzy. That'll do me," he wrote on Twitter.
"I'll tell you the real problem Nick, you're a sore loser when things aren't going your way.
Kyrgios was up to his usual antics from the start of the match. After the very first point he was gesturing for the crowd to get into the contest.
Granollers and Zeballos won the first game as a chant of "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" rang out. After Kyrgios opened his first service game with an ace, the familiar cry of "siu" erupted.
However, the big difference between Kia Arena and Rod Laver Arena was also clearly visible throughout the first set with the crowd refraining from cheering or heckling in the middle of Granollers' and Zeballos' service actions.
There was even a cheer from inside the arena when the chair umpire asked for fans to "keep it clean and fair" during the first set.
