Australian Open 2021 - 'Good job!' - Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis get warning BEFORE match
Updated 13/02/2021 at 10:02 GMT
In somewhat ridiculous fashion, Australian duo Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis received a time violation for being too slow to begin their first-round doubles match against Julian Knowle and Lloyd Harris. Kyrgios, very used to receiving warnings for various incidents in the singles, was flagged up yet again.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were hit with a time violation even before their first-round doubles match had begun at the 2021 Australian Open.
In a memorable night at Melbourne Park, Dominic Thiem clinched a dramatic fifth-set triumph over Kyrgios in the third round on Friday to win 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.
It was an evening of great tension as home favourite Kyrgios revelled in his role at the centre of the unfolding story and gave absolutely everything in front of a raucous and enthralled crowd.
But on Saturday, the 25-year-old switched his attention to the doubles where he was joined by fellow Australian Kokkinakis, who himself put on a show in another epic third-round match as he lost out to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Any excitement at the prospect of joining forces was abruptly extinguished before the match had even started, however, as the umpire hit the pair with a time violation for taking too long to leave their seats.
A bewildered Kyrgios was not remotely happy about being warned and believed they were due at least the courtesy of a heads up.
"But we were waiting for you to say, 'Time'," argued Kyrgios.
"So you can't just give us a warning? You can just say, 'Are you guys ready?', or?
Nah, you're doing a good job! Very good.
Kokkinakis added: "You're really giving us a time violation?"
The incident certainly did not deter the Australian duo as they breezed through in straight sets, 6-2 6-4, to reach the second round.
Next up for Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will be a second-round clash with fourth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Wesley Koolhof.
There was still time after the match for Kyrgios to embarrass his partner with a cheeky comment about their on-court communication.
"I don't know, there was actually a bit of talk out there today, tactical wise," Kyrgios said, in response to Kokkinakis suggesting there was, "One per cent tactical" communication between them.
Well I'm a taken man, so he was talking to me about girls most of the time!
"What?!" Kokkinakis hit back.
He's just thrown me under the bus right here!
"But that's not true," he continued, his face suddenly bright red.
"We were just having fun. It was definitely more just rubbish."
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