Nick Kyrgios’ profitable journey to Saudi Arabia is over after one outing with a misplaced his opening match to Cameron Norrie on Thursday.
The world No. 14 defeated Kyrgios 10-6 10-6 in two tremendous tiebreaks on the Diriyah Tennis Cup.
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Norrie, who made the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this 12 months, will subsequent face Stefanos Tsitipas within the quarterfinals.
Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev to arrange a conflict with Dominic Thiem.
The loss was a disappointing early exit for Kyrgios, who entered the exhibition occasion with a lot fanfare after he revealed he had earned a six-figure pay cheque for taking part in in Saudi Arabia.
The occasion has drawn widespread backlash with Norrie being closely criticised for agreeing to participate within the occasion.
The very underwhelming crowds within the stands in Saudi Arabia have additionally raised eyebrows.
After being knocked out of the ATP Finals doubles occasion, Kyrgios opted to as soon as once more not be a part of his Australian counterparts for the Davis Cup.
Instead he made the choice to participate in a profitable exhibition occasion in Saudi Arabia for the Diriyah Tennis Cup, incomes himself a six-figure pay cheque.
Kyrgios nonetheless wasn’t hiding from the actual fact, as an alternative providing up a humble brag in regards to the incoming payday.
“Saudi Arabia and Dubai is all that’s left. You know I gotta get the bag,” he wrote on Instagram.
Ahead of the Diriyah Cup, Kyrgios blamed Australia for his determination to skip the Davis Cup.
“Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy,” he informed AAP.
“But who knows?
“It’s not always easy for me to erase everything in Australia that’s said negatively about me or my family.
“You don’t need that – so it’s interesting that they really want me to play, but are always criticising.”
And the controversy didn’t finish there. After his loss to Norrie, Kyrgios fired up in a testy alternate on Twitter with MailOnline tennis author Mike Dickson.
Dickson posted: “Tennis so far this month: Players travelling to exhibition in Russia; others troughing on Saudi Arabia cash; Wimbledon hammered for taking a stand on Ukraine.
“What a time to be alive.”
Kyrgios replied: “You have a problem with us playing in Saudi? It’s a beautiful place?”
Dickson responded: “I’m sure it is from where you’re standing
Kyrgios: “So salty no need to be butt hurt that I’m getting paid well for doing what I love around the world. Carry on.”
Dickson completed with: “Pleased for you.”
Kyrgios will contest another event earlier than the 12 months is out on the inaugural World Tennis League on December 19-24.
The World No. 22 will then flip his consideration to the Australian Open in January, the place he has progressed to the quarterfinals twice.
