Nick Kyrgios is without a doubt the most unpredictable player on tour.
His cerebral blasts and fades are an integral part of Kyrgios’ tennis package.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kyrgios drops points in incredible fashion.
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But on Monday morning (AEST) against World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev at the US Open, the most visible player in the world took it to a whole new level.
Down a set apiece and 1-0 up in the third set, Medvedev’s serve was there to be broken at 30-30.
Kyrgios made the best of a long exchange, drawing Medvedev into the net in a vulnerable position before smashing a forehand down the line, in which Medvedev could do little more than throw his racket and wait.
The Russian’s reflex attempt to return the ball went up into the air, never coming near the Aussie’s side of the pitch, let alone inside the lines.
All Kyrgios had to do was watch the ball bounce out of bounds on the wrong side of the court, and he would have had an early break point.
Instead, in what can only be described as an insane brain fade, Kyrgios ran to his opponent’s side of the court, caught the high ball before it bounced, slammed it into Medvedev’s side of the court, and then celebrated as the. d won a bright spot.
Nick Kyrgios lost the point under strange circumstances. Credit: Channel 9
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Respectful Kyrgios in awe of Serena, once in a generation
Respectful Kyrgios in awe of Serena, once in a generation
He hadn’t.
Medvedev knew immediately that he was wrong, looking directly at the chair umpire, while Kyrgios started walking back to his side of the court, thinking he had won the point.
Channel 9 commentator Todd Woodbridge was quick to point out the play’s illegality.
“I’m not sure that’s allowed,” he said after the moment happened.
“This is going to be a problem.”
Kyrgios thought he had won the point. Credit: Channel 9
The chair umpire then called “dirty kick” and Medvedev was awarded the point.
“Yes, you can’t do this; you can’t cross the net, the ball isn’t dead yet,” Woodbridge said.
“Kyrgios has basically ducked in front of the net and that’s an illegal shot.
“Oh, what a misjudgment. That should have been the breaking point.
“Oh dear; what will be the repercussions of that?
“I have never seen anything like this in all my time in tennis. That is crazy.”
Medvedev won the game, but the immediate fallout didn’t hurt Kyrgios too much, as he won the set and went up 2-1.
The Australian superstar ultimately dethroned the Russian champion, winning the match in an impressive four sets.
Speaking in his post-match on-court interview, Kyrgios admitted that the strange moment in the third set was a mental blackout.
“I still can’t believe the stupid move I made here,” he said, a smile on his face.
“I thought that was legal, to be honest.
“That’s going to be everywhere at the Sports Center, so I’m going to look like an idiot. That’s fine.
“It was an incredible match. Obviously, Daniil, he’s the defending champion, I had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but I played very well. I’ve been playing amazing the last few months.
“What a place to do it; full house in New York, I am extremely blessed.”
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Source: 7news.com.au