Nick Kyrgios loses the plot during Miami Open clash with Jannik Sinner as he tells the umpire he's an 'absolute CLOWN' and says 'the crowd HATES you' - but hothead star somehow avoids disqualification before going on to lose in straight sets
- Nick Kyrgios lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner 7-6, 6-3 at the Miami Open
- However, he lost his head at Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes during the defeat
- He was given a game penalty - putting himself one violation away from a default
Nick Kyrgios was lucky to escape disqualification on Tuesday night after launching repeated tirades at the umpire during his Miami Open defeat.
The tempestuous Australian was given a game penalty - putting himself one violation away from a default - during a 7-6, 6-3 loss to Italian Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.
Kyrgios capped his performance by shouting at Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes that he was an 'absolute clown' after shaking hands with his opponent at the net.
![Nick Kyrgios had a day to forget during his Miami Open fourth-round exit on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/30/00/55970411-10665505-Nick_Kyrgios_had_a_day_to_forget_during_his_Miami_Open_fourth_ro-a-1_1648595473199.jpg)
Nick Kyrgios had a day to forget during his Miami Open fourth-round exit on Tuesday
![The controversial Australian called umpire Carlos Bernardes an 'absolute clown' and has been hit with four fines totalling £26,500](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/30/00/55976577-10665505-He_was_close_to_being_disqualified_by_Brazilian_umpire_Carlos_Be-a-2_1648595473219.jpg)
He was close to being disqualified by Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes calling him a 'clown'
Having begun the match by complaining about the court speed and the noise from a walkie talkie during a point, he was given a first warning. He then handed a point penalty at 3-5 in the tiebreak for unsportsmanlike conduct. At the change of ends he was given the game penalty for smashing his racket into his chair.
'This is one of the biggest tournaments and you guys can't do your job, it's embarrassing,' raged Kyrgios. 'I genuinely want to know what's wrong with you. The crowd hates you.'
The crowd had also upset him, leading him to declare: 'Everyone's just the worst.'
The ATP Tour must now decide whether to suspend him or give him another fine after the £18,000 he was docked two weeks ago at Indian Wells during his defeat by Rafael Nadal. The circuit is notoriously lenient when dealing with its marquee players.
Kyrgios said later: 'If you are being booed by the crowd you are not doing a good job. I've never been part of a match where the umpire has been hated so much. The ATP don't give a f***.'
'How much do I bring to the sport? That's the problem with tennis is that it doesn't protect our stars at all. We love to outcast them.
![At the change of ends he was given the game penalty for smashing his racket into his chair](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/30/01/55978525-10665505-image-m-8_1648599072564.jpg)
![Kyrgios' racket was unusable as a result](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/30/01/55978527-10665505-image-a-9_1648599076858.jpg)
At the change of ends he was given the game penalty for smashing his racket into his chair
'The ATP never defends their players and stands up to them. I am used to it, have been used to it my whole career and it sucks.
'I have one incident where I threw a racket which didn't hit anyone, I know it can be dangerous but I went back the next day and apologised to the kid the next day. He will remember that for the rest of his life.
'Me, my girlfriend, my team all have to deal with the bad comments and the ATP don't give a f***.'
Meanwhile, Cam Norrie said that he was unhappy with his own attitude after being knocked out of the fourth round 6-3, 6-4 by world No 8 Casper Ruud.
The British No 1 wore strapping around a minor calf strain, and declared later that he had let it distract him more than necessary. Despite the defeat he was still left with a chance of making the world's top 10 next week.
![The tempestuous Australian failed to keep his emotions in check throughout his defeat](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/30/00/55976673-10665505-The_tempestuous_Australian_failed_to_keep_his_emotions_in_check_-a-3_1648595473224.jpg)
The tempestuous Australian failed to keep his emotions in check throughout his defeat
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