Play.
In the second round, Kyrgios smashed his racket.
During his match at the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios took some anger out on his racket. (0:22)
11:00 AM
McGavin never liked Happy Gilmore.
He once argued that he was a disgrace to the game. The man is playing golf. He should be kicked off the tour.
Gilmore, the flamboyant, failed hockey player turned unconventional golf pro, a fictional character wonderfully portrayed by Adam Sandler in the 1996 film, was a polarizing figure. Gilmore could entertain crowds like nobody else, doing things with a golf club that others wouldn't dare dream of, but his aggressiveness and short fuse often landed him in hot water.
Gilmore and Nick Kyrgios have similarities. Gilmore's trademark shot was the running start, booming drive off the tee, while for Kyrgios it was his audacious, and often humiliating, underarm serve.
The sport's best player has an intense rivalry. Over the years, the two men have clashed at various stages of their careers, and have often been critical of each other's behavior. Last year the 20-time Slam champion was labeled a "tool" and a "very strange cat" by the young man, who replied "I don't have much respect for him."
A fan of Nick Kyrgios enjoys a shoe during his match.
Gilmore and Kyrgios have the same attitude towards their sports. Tennis has been referred to as a "part-time job" by the young man from Canberra, who is more interested in basketball. Gilmore once claimed "golf requires goofy pants and a fat a--" and only reluctantly began playing as a way to make quick cash and save his grandmother's home.
Through the first week of the Australian Open, the parallels between the two sporting icons have become even more obvious.
Even though he lasted just two rounds and seven sets in singles, he caused as much of a stir as any tennis player on the planet not named Novak. A host of his rivals have been critical of him and the behavior of the crowds he attracts.
Liam Broady said that he had never walked onto a tennis court and been booed. He plays better for getting them behind him. It's very rare in tennis.
After eliminating Broady on John Cain Arena, Kyrgios helped himself to a fan's beer. Gilmore accomplished that feat no more than 26 years ago.
Happy Gilmore fights Bob Barker in a movie.
After winning one of the points of the tournament against world No. 2 and Australian Open favorite, Nick Kyrgios was hyping the crowd. It was reminiscent of Gilmore parading around on the green with a golf club between his legs.
"Nick is a big entertainer, well, he's a big entertainer," Medvedev told Eurosport after their match. People are cheering when you make a double fault on the break point. That's disappointing. Those who are doing it have a low IQ.
You're almost guaranteed a rowdy crowd who will lap up his showmanship and create their own shenanigans in the stands if he plays on one of the courts. We've already seen shoeys, Mexican waves, and the ever-persisting "Siuuu!" chant by the Portuguese player. It's all reminiscent of Gilmore's fans, who would go back to their shanties.
Gilmore and Bob Barker are throwing punches at a charity golf tournament in the film. The world's top-ranked pair were almost defeated by Thanasi Kokkinakis and his partner.
After yesterday's chop fest in doubles, my opponents coach and trainer threatened to fight in the players gym. Tennis is a sport that is soft.
The happy Gilmore is Nick Kyrgios.
Tennis fans and the media have always had a lot of angst about the man named Nick. His unique brand of tennis isn't going to change if he stays in the sport.
Gilmore hasn't broken any rules, as Doug Thompson reminded McGavin. Ratings are up and we're getting new sponsors. There's nothing I can do.
It's the same with him. You can count on one hand how many tennis players move the needle. The sport is desperate for another draw with the likes of Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal all in the twilight of their illustrious careers. It could be that Kyrgios is it.
According to Media Week, the highest-rated non-news program this week in Australia was the second-round match between Kyrgios and Medvedev. Neither Ash Barty nor Alex de Minaur have been close in any of their matches. The fourth-round singles action is less than 100 yards away, but his doubles matches have more fans in attendance. Kyrgios is aware of it.
The TV ratings went up 45%. After he and Kokkinakis' third-round doubles win, he quipped, "Let's just get this clear." We need this for the sport.
Like Gilmore in Dennis Dugan's cult film, Kyrgios isn't everyone's cup of tea. He's an entertainer. A showman with the skill to compete with the world's best players on the grandest stages.
He said that tennis has done a poor job with accepting personality. They only marketed three players for the last decade, and now it's caught up to them. People go about it differently, and tennis needs to embrace that more. You couldn't have two more polar opposite people going up against each other and it was fun. Tennis needs to push that a lot or it's in trouble.
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