We’re only three days into the Australian Open but multiple meltdowns have already demonstrated the need for some of tennis’ biggest names to start acting their age. Athletes are role models for the younger generation and temper tantrums when your back is against the wall is the complete opposite of what we should be endorsing to kids.
Nick Kyrgios played world No.92 Jacob Fearnley in his Round 1 match and lost in straight sets in a performance that was nowhere near the Australian’s best. An abdominal strain did play a role in his deficit but, in my opinion, his mindset and attitude were a key reason why Kyrgios couldn’t even win a set. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak Kyrgios was picked up on the courtside microphone swearing at his coaching box.
“Just f–king keep serving right?” Kyrgios yelled. “No I’ll just keep serving, I’m here now.”
Post-match, the Australian revealed that he most likely had played his final Australian Open singles match in what I can only see as giving up. The doubles remain and most likely that’s the best option for him. Kyrgios needs someone to keep him level-headed. Beyond his future endeavours, Australian kids growing up shouldn’t be looking at Kyrgios as a role model but more a warning.
Talent can only get you so far. Swearing at your coaches and support staff who are there to help you is simply unacceptable on the professional circuit. This behaviour should’ve been stamped out years ago but instead, it was celebrated and has put the worst of an entitled athlete’s attitude on a global stage.
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Day three saw last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev take on No.418 Kasidit Samrej in what should have been a walkover. It was anything but for the Russian who was taken to a five-set showdown in which the number five seed finally prevailed with a dominant last two sets.
However, dropping the third set provoked the rage in Medvedev who repeatedly smashed his racquet against the net in frustration before finally breaking the mounted camera. This shattered tiny pieces everywhere on the court and instead of taking responsibility for his immaturity, it was up to the volunteer ball-kids to clean up the mess.
Daniil Medvedev (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
This may end up in a financial sanction for the Russian but honestly, how are we allowing this to stand in professorial sport? Breaking your own equipment is one thing but breaking cameras and making kids clean up the mess is shameful. He should be expelled from the tournament for such actions. Tennis is widely played by kids and tantrums by adults will continue to allow these actions to fester in junior tennis.
Pressure affects everyone in different ways but when on camera and representing your country, a certain privilege needs to be understood. If you cannot understand consequences have actions then there is no place in international sport for you.
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Players like Roger Federer demonstrated the best tennis has to offer with class and dignity on display. For the vast majority of tennis players, they uphold the expectations of organisers and fans. Let’s not celebrate those who routinely blame umpires, and coaches or break the equipment. Kick this out of tennis like the crackdown on dissent in the AFL.
Otherwise, impressionable juniors will carry on this nonsense that is well and truly unacceptable.