Tag: Controversy

Nick Kyrgios Blasts Out On Umpire After Controversial Call

Former World No. 13 and controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios unloaded his wrath on the chair umpire during his third consecutive defeat at the Toronto Masters. Kyrgios, who now sits at No. 80, was up against Reilly Opelka in the first round of the Toronto open. Kyrgios was cruising to victory when a controversial moment triggered a collapse. 

It was when the set was tied at 4-4 when Opelka proceeded to the net and touched it with his racket. Kyrgios eventually lost the point and went on to unload his anger on the umpire. “What are you watching? I saw his foot touch the net, and you’re not going to call it,” Kyrgios said to the umpire.

“What else could you be watching, bro? I can see his foot touch the net from where I am, and you don’t call anything. It’s a joke, bro. It cost me the f—ing set. Bulls—.”

Opelka then went on to win the match, pushing Kyrgios to his third defeat on the trot. 

Earlier, Nick Kyrgios had a moment of truth during a recent press conference. Talking about his failing competitive edge, Kyrgios went on to say: 

“I’m not feeling the severity of certain points, and I don’t feel the pressure as much as obviously playing week in, week out,” said Kyrgios.

“You feel when you kind of have to press, when you kind of have to relax, when you kind of coast, when you kind of push.

“I don’t really feel like my body and my mind quite understand the severity of some points here or there because I haven’t played that much.

“Look, I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed.

“I know that I’m going to be dealing with a lot of s**t now on social media. Like, my head’s in the shed, to be honest.

“I don’t know; I didn’t play great.”

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxjDGE9HrfY

Year of Controversies Continues for Djokovic With US Open Disqualification

Novak Djokovic’s 2020 just couldn’t have been worse. Playing in an empty Arthur Ashe court, Novak got a rush of blood and intentionally hit a line judge in the throat with a ball. The incident marked an end to Djokovic’s 29-match winning streak and also put an end to his hopes for an 18th Grand Slam title. 

Djokovic, who was obviously disappointed with the incident, voiced what he had learned from it a few days down the line. 

“I’m working mentally and emotionally as hard as I am working physically, I’m trying to be the best version of myself on the court and off the court and I understand that I have outbursts and this is kind of the personality and the player that I have always been,’ Djokovic said 8 days after the incident. 

“I’m going to take this in as profound as possible for me as a big lesson. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been comprehending. I’ve been talking to my team. It’s just one of these things that is just unfortunate and happens. You have to move on. It was totally unexpected and very unintended as well, when you hit a ball like that you have a chance to hit somebody that is on the court. The rules are clear. So I accepted it. I had to move on and that’s what I did,” Djokovic further added. 

Djokovic went on to mention that he checked on the lineswoman and was glad to know that she wasn’t seriously injured. While many tennis greats have reacted to the situation, Spanish rival Rafa Nadal has accused the Serb of lacking self control. 

“Sorry for him. He had an opportunity there. But in some way you should not be doing this. It’s very unfortunate, very unlucky situation. But it’s important to have the right self-control on the court, because if not, you can be unlucky,” Nadal said talking about the incident. 

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8a0PFleKm4

Tennis Icon Margaret Court Brews More Controversy in Australia

It is not often that we get the same answer for two questions with completely different contexts. But, if we were to ask readers the following questions, we will get the same answers:

Who is the Queen of Tennis with the most single grand slam titles?

Who is the Queen of Controversy amongst retired players?

Tennis icon Margaret Court is the name that pops up here. Court, who hails from Australia, won 24 Grand Slams in her career, which is the most amongst both men and women. Court has had quite a controversial year or two after she first engulfed news with her ancient views on same sex marriage. Gay marriage was legalized within Australia back in 2017, but Court disagreed with the plebiscite, stating that the Bible forbids all such marriages, which is why we should stay safe.

The 77 year old was soon hounded by fans all over Australia, who are still demanding that the court in Melbourne Park, named after her, be changed.

Now, Margaret Court has questioned the equality of Tennis Australia by calling out the administration for not showing her the same level of respect that they showed to Rod Laver while celebrating his 50th Grand Slam anniversary recently. Court, who won all 4 Grand Slam titles for the year 1970, believes that she should be honored in a similar manner as well.

“I think Tennis Australia should sit and talk with me,” Court said while speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. “They have never phoned me. Nobody has spoken to me directly about it. I think they would rather not confront it.”

“They brought Rod in from America. If they think I’m just going to turn up, I don’t think that is right. I think I should be invited. I would hope they would pay my way to come like they paid for his, and honor me. If they are not going to do that, I don’t really want to come,” she further added.

When asked about how her words about gay marriages might have impacted her legacy, Court asserted that the both had no correlation. Court maintained that her believes on homosexuals should not be allowed to tarnish or damage her legacy.

“I don’t feel any of that should be brought into my tennis career,” Court mentioned. “It was a different phase of my life from where I am now and if we are not big enough as a nation and a game to face those challenges there is something wrong.”

Many newsreader and anchors have weighed in on this situation and have clarified their perspective.

Tom Steinfort, the newsreader on Channel 9 started the discussion on this topic during his early morning show. “If they (TA) want to lead here, no one has handled this issue better than Peter V’landys when he was asked about Israel Folau the other day,” Steinfort mentioned. “He said on that the game is inclusive, and Israel’s comments aren’t inclusive.”