Nick Kyrgios had fans at Rod Laver Arena cheering for a moment away from the court when he convinced security to remove an unruly spectator and his mates.
Kyrgios, along with doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, last night secured the Australian Open men’s doubles title in defeating fellow Australians Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in straight sets.
But late in the match, play stopped for nearly five minutes when a spectator shouted out in what appeared to be an attempt to put Purcell off just as he was about to serve.
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While it didn’t stop Purcell and Ebden from claiming the point, the pair were left frustrated. They then urged chair umpire Damien Dumusois to rule the point a hindrance and a let if it was to happen again.
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The chair umpire then sent out a message to the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
“I think everybody is enjoying the match, so please, one or two spectators are totally ruining the game by screaming,” Dumusois said.
“Please stop.”
Stream every match, every court of the Australian Open live and free on 9Now.
After that moment, with play still yet to resume, Kyrgios’ frustration spilled over.
The former world No.13 pointed in the direction of the culprit and his group, urging security to step in.
A group of three were duly taken out by security, with the remainder of the crowd cheering their departures out of Rod Laver Arena.
“It’s not exactly what we need… they’re going to try and get the offender out of the stadium,” Todd Woodbridge said on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
Sam Groth added: “He’s also cost his friends an opportunity to see the end of this one.”
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