Australia's Nick Kyrgios has been fined a total of $17,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct by the ATP after a series of outbursts at officials at the Queen's Club championships on Thursday.
The 23-year-old became embroiled in an expletive-laden rant at umpire Fergus Murphy in his first-round win against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, at one point accusing a line judge of 'rigging' his match.
In his second round match later in the day against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, which he lost in three sets, Kyrgios was given another warning by umpire James Keothavong for smashing a ball out of the ground after a call went against him.
Kyrgios, who is never far from controversy wherever he plays, also rowed with fans and a courtside photographer and appeared to be going through the motions in the final games.
He was fine a total of $7,500 for his conduct in the first match and then another $10,000 for his behaviour in the second.
Afterwards Kyrgios described the performance of the match officials as 'a joke' and 'horrendous'.
"I think it's ridiculous. Like, why not have another umpire ready to come in if that guy's have a terrible day?" Kyrgios said. "I don't understand. I have to pay the fines for it.
"The calls are horrendous, but I get fined and he gets nothing. It's like a black star.
"I don't know what happens. It's rubbish."
"The calls are horrendous, but I get fined and he gets nothing, a slapped wrist. It's like a black star. It's rubbish."
His second match of the day was relatively calm although at 5-5 in the third set, he resorted to casual trick shots.
The first match was too until his opponent served a second serve on set point down at 5-6 that Kyrgios felt was long.
"The ball was this far out (holding hands about a foot apart), no joke. It's so far long. What are you actually doing up there?," Kyrgios was heard to say. "Bro, it's taking the piss. I refuse to play."
Kyrgios given a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour before taking a dislike to umpire Murphy's headgear.
"It's a joke, man. It's a serious joke. Like your hat looks ridiculous, also. It's not even sunny," he said.
Umpire Murphy said "be careful, Nick, be careful what you're saying" when he used the word "rigging". Kyrgios said later he had not meant it in that context.
Kyrgios called the tournament supervisor to court in the second set.
"Twenty people over there are saying it was way out. Go and ask them yourself. They're not going to lie to you, they've got no reason to," he said.
"An 80mph second serve. You actually can't be that bad."
