‘Sit in your seat and watch!’ – Nick Kyrgios angered by increase in fan disruption
Nick Kyrgios believes social media is causing a rise in fan disruption as “everyone feels like their opinion is valid” and regular “people think they are relevant.”
Australian Open doubles victor Kyrgios succumbed to defeat against 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters.
However, despite an enthralling match the encounter was marred by Kyrgios snapping at fans on multiple occasions.
This comes after four-time Slam winner Naomi Osaka was almost reduced to tears after being heckled by a fan who shouted “Naomi, you suck!”
Speaking after losing to Nadal, an incensed Nick Kyrgios said “for me it wasn’t so much similar to Osaka’s situation.
“I know when you play Rafa, 99% of the crowd is gonna go for [support] these guys and I’m not asking for the crowd to go for me or cheer my name or go nuts for me when I’m winning or losing or anything.
“I just want people to know that you’re a spectator. You’ve bought tickets to come watch us play, at least don’t scream out before first and second serve that’s all that’s I’m asking for,” Kyrgios pleaded.
“People in the crowd screaming and I think it’s just this generation, everyone feels like their opinion is valid.
“When you’re a spectator and you’re watching professionals play tennis, you should just be quiet. Don’t tell me how to play, you could not win a single point against Rafael Nadal. Just sit on your seat and watch me play tennis. That’s it.
“They think they have some sort of right to scream out to players like they did to Osaka the other night, it affects people. We’re only human, we’re not some sort of superhuman with armour,” the Australian reasoned.
“What I’m saying is you can’t do that to people, you can’t scream out and aggressively scream at people from the crowd. Just sit and enjoy the show. I’m just asking for a little bit of respect.
“It’s getting worse [because] with social media, people think that they’re relevant all of a sudden. Like you’re not relevant, you have a little social media account that you type to people on, you spread negativity, it’s embarrassing!” he ranted.
“You can see how it affects people. It affects Osaka, it affected me for years and it’s not okay. People are so quick to hate and how can you hate on someone for just trying to be different. It’s ridiculous!”
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