Nick Kyrgios calls for ‘disgrace’ umpire to be fired as he slams player for ‘cheating’ amid controversy
Nick Kyrgios has called for a tennis umpire to be fired and claimed he should never be allowed to officiate another match after a highly controversial incident at the Estoril Open.
The Australian also criticised ATP player Cristian Garin for “cheating” and slammed his post-match comments after the Chilean benefitted from the situation and went on to win the contest.
In the quarter-final match between Garin and Nuno Borges at the Estoril Open on Friday, the umpire made a call at a crucial moment that has been universally labelled incorrect by the tennis community.
With Garin facing a break point at 2-3 in the second set, a spectator called out when one of the Chilean’s shots appeared to have landed long, but no call was made by the line judge.
Borges returned the shot, before Garin hit his net forehand wide. Bizarrely, the umpire decided to award the point to Garin, when it should have either been given to Borges or replayed.
Garin, the world No 112, held serve in the crucial game and ultimately sealed a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over the world No 62 and Portuguese home favourite.
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In response to a video of the incident on X, Kyrgios weighed in with his opinion and did not hold back as he lambasted the chair umpire.
This umpire should be fired and never be able to take place in another match. Disgrace. https://t.co/2EF4c0yENg
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) April 5, 2024
“This umpire should be fired and never be able to take place in another match. Disgrace,” wrote the 28-year-old.
In a post-match interview, Garin said: “He (Borges) stopped the point. I stopped too. I don’t know if it’s my point or if we should replay it. Need to check it. I will check it later.
“The atmosphere was crazy after that and I’m very proud of myself. It was kind of annoying during the match.”
Kyrgios took issue with Garin’s comments as he responded to a tweet sharing them by asking: “How could you possibly say you won that point? Just because he stops moving doesn’t mean he stopped the point?
“Best case a replay. YOU MISSED THE BALL IN THE TRAM LINE 😶🌫️ how can you win that point?”
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist and former world No 13 also described the 27-year-old Chilean’s behaviour as “cheating” in a separate post.
In his post-match press conference, Borges expressed his disbelief at the decision and suggested he was not pleased with Garin for accepting the point.
“I left the court without understanding the umpire’s judgment. He knows he made a mistake. It didn’t make any sense. Point shouldn’t stop because someone in the crowd shouts,” said the 27-year-old.
“He felt something coming from the crowd but we continued, but he missed [it]. Garin told me he missed because I stopped. It’s not his fault, but he doesn’t look good in this situation as well.”
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