Nick Kyrgios fined $23k for racquet-smashing exit from US Open

Nick Kyrgios has been fined US$14,000 (NZ23,000) for unsportsmanlike conduct after his racquet-smashing exit from the US Open.

Kyrgios slammed multiple racquets to the court in frustration following his 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4 loss to Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The Wimbledon runner-up racked up US$32,500 ($NZ53,700) in fines while in Flushing Meadows, getting penalised five times.

After Kyrgios shook hands with Khachanov after the match, he cracked his racquet against the ground three times before hurling it on to the court. Then for good measure, he grabbed yet another racquet out of his bag, reared back and hit that one on the sideline too.

Kyrgios could not quite follow up his victory over defending champion Daniil Medvedev at Flushing Meadows, bowing out in a high-quality, topsy-turvy quarterfinal that lasted just over 3-1/2 hours at 1am Wednesday New York time at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s just devastating. Like, it’s heartbreaking,” said Kyrgios, who was the runner-up at Wimbledon in July. “Pretty much every other tournament during the year is a waste of time, really. You should just run up and show up at a Grand Slam. That’s what you’re remembered by.”

Asked about Kyrgios' display of disappointment, Khachanov said he saw “racquets were flying,” and added: “I feel the pain for him.”

Early in the match, two spectators were kicked out after one gave the other a haircut in the stands. By the end, the late-staying spectators were pulling for Kyrgios loudly. At one point in the fourth set, chair umpire James Keothavong pleaded: “Once again, ladies and gentlemen: Respect both the players.”

“I was prepared. I was expecting that the crowd would be more for him, that he was the favorite in their eyes,” said the No. 27-seeded Khachanov had been 0-2 in major quarterfinals before this one against No. 23 Kyrgios.

Khachanov will face No. 5 Casper Ruud on Friday for a berth in the championship match.