Nick Kyrgios Seems to Stop Trying in Wimbledon Clash with Richard Gasquet

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios attracted a lot of attention with some strange behaviour during his fourth-round match with Frenchman Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon on Monday.

After losing the first set 7-5, the 26th-seeded Kyrgios quickly proceeded to implode. Down 2-0 in the second set, he seemingly refused to return the ball, causing Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail to ask whether Kyrgios had given up the game altogether.

At that point, fans booed the Australian, and the Guardian adds that he could yet face a heavy fine if the International Tennis Foundation decides that he intentionally did not try:

"

International Tennis Federation rules state: “A player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in a grand slam tournament. Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $20,000[£12,860] for each violation.”

Additionally, the rules state: “In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation … shall also constitute the major offence of aggravated behaviour and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth therefor.”

That allows the ITF to impose a penalty of $250,000 [£160,000].

"

Gasquet cruised in the second set, winning 6-1, but Kyrgios' theatrics had only just begun. During the third set, the Australian found himself in an argument with the umpire, James Keothavong, over his socks.

Kyrgios said, per the Mail: 

"

I'm changing my socks. I've taken one pair off. I've got two on and I'm taking one pair off. I'm staying on the court. If you're going to get angry with me for that, that's another level. Mate, Rafa (Rafael Nadal) and stuff play 30 seconds in between points every time and all I'm doing is putting my sock back on.

"

After involving Gasquet, who raised no objection to the sock change, Kyrgios continued, but it was symptomatic of erratic behaviour throughout the contest.

He also picked up an official warning from Keothavong for an audible obscenity during the course of the match:

"

WATCH In a repeat of 2014 Gasquet takes a 2 sets lead over Kyrgios, but will the outcome be different? #ManicMonday http://t.co/WrkMf1Uvjb

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2015"

Other incidents of note include having to be asked to switch ends when he didn't realise he had lost the game to hugging a rather confused-looking ballboy:

"

Awwww or awwwwkkwarrdd... Kyrgios gets a cuddle from the ball boy... #Wimbledon Watch: http://t.co/euKSgsycOa pic.twitter.com/TmAs22hvfo

— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 6, 2015"

Viewers on Twitter, however, were clearly not amused with the Australian's erratic behaviour:

"

Regardless of ability or wins, in my eyes Kyrgios will never b a champion. His attitude is that of a spoilt brat not getting his way. #chump

— Daniel Smith (@13DSmith) July 6, 2015"

"

This Kyrgios bloke is like the Zlatan Ibrahimovic of tennis.

— TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) July 6, 2015"

"

Kyrgios doesn't even know the score. Unbelievable scenes!

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 6, 2015"

"

Kyrgios a case of someone trying too hard to be "entertaining" #Wimbledon2015

— Christopher Brady (@cBrady4593) July 6, 2015"

The 20-year old had already caused a stir this week by encouraging fans to cover their faces in vegemite in a show of support:

"

Nick Kyrgios is encouraging fans smearing Vegemite on their faces http://t.co/3cVlcJbhcT pic.twitter.com/jrshN4Mvul

— Daily Mail Australia (@DailyMailAU) July 6, 2015"

Kyrgios saved two match points to take the game into a fourth set.

That raised the hopes of his fans—he had saved nine set points in their last match together at Wimbledon in 2014 before triumphing.

There was no repeat this year, however, as the Australian double-faulted on match point in the fourth set tie-break.

[Twitter]