Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis' Australian Open run has come to an end through retirement and it also didn't go without a bit of drama.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Thursday, the 2022 Australian Open winners made their return as a pair to Melbourne Park for the first time in three years.
Unfortunately for them, it didn't go well after they were forced to retire with James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic up 7-5 3-2.
After Kyrgios battled wrist and abdominal issues in the last two weeks, Kokkinakis also looked dead tired and struggling physically during a singles five-set loss to Jack Draper on Wednesday.
While they ultimately managed to play their doubles match, they weren't able to finish it.
Officially, the retirement came because Kokkinakis couldn't continue.
Kyrgios went off at the umpire
Midway through the first set, the 28-year-old smashed the ball into the net and then also hit it while it was on the rebound.
ADVERTISEMENT
The umpire responded by giving a code violation to the Special K's.
Then, the always-outspoken Australianstood up for his doubles partner.
"Bro, really? Really? You're really going to do that?" he asked.
"So him trying to play in front of the fans doesn't mean anything? You're going to give him (expletive) code violation for that? Really bro?"
A few games later during another changeover, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist continued his angry rant.
"We're both injured right, full stadium of people to come see us play and he doesn't have to be here right and he hits a ball out of pain and you're going to give him a code violation," Kyrgios said.
"But it's not unsportsmanlike? I'm just saying, read the game a bit more. I'm just saying, you don't need to do that."
ADVERTISEMENT
Also, the 29-year-old was heard complaining that they may get a fine because of the code violation call made.
