CNN
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Tennis star Nick Kyrgios was involved in a heated exchange with the referee during his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the TP 500 Halle Open on Wednesday.
Kyrgios, 27, had his racquet broken after losing the first set and later locked horns with the referee after being given a time violation for taking too long between points.
The Australian continued his rant from his chair, arguing that he should wipe his hands before playing.
“He said I was playing too slow, statistically I’m one of the fastest,” Kyrgios told reporters after reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament in Germany.
“I had to walk the sidelines to get my towel, there’s this thing called 30 degree Celsius sweat running down your hands. I needed to wipe my hands and he gave me a warning.
Despite the heated exchange, Kyrgios regained his composure to take the next two sets, earning a 5-7 6-2 6-4 win over his Greek opponent.
He delighted the crowd with stunning shots during the contest, a reminder of what makes him such a dangerous player on grass.
“The support I get from crowds around the world is amazing. They want me to come out and put on a show,” he added.
“I’m happy to still be able to produce this level with the tournaments I play. It’s proof that I work hard when I’m not playing. »
Kyrgios, whose outbursts on the court often make him a divisive figure among tennis fans, is unseeded in the tournament but will now face Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the next round on Thursday.
