Nick Kyrgios provided some funny moments during his second round victory against Robin Haase. After a foot mistake he questioned the decision of the linesman, but chair referee James Keothavong reacted confidently and with humour – and shortly afterwards explained the rules to the Australian.
“I haven’t made a foot mistake in over three years,” Kyrgios said during the exchange with the British impartial. “This is simply impossible.”
The Australian also complained that the call came much too late. “He can’t call anything before you hit the ball,” said Keothavong, making the audience and Kyrgios laugh.
After the service game, Kyrgios had the referee explain the situation to him once again. This was not as clear as it seems at first: Kyrgios did not cross the baseline in his service, but did not stick to the lateral boundary.
During his serve movement he stood with his rear foot too far left from his view, but then pulled him into the right half of the court during the meeting point.
“During the service movement, a player should never touch the imaginary extension of the mark in the middle of the court,” is written in the ITF rules.
By the way: Kyrgios made two foot mistakes at the Australian Open against Grigor Dimitrov.