Tennis brat Nick Kyrgios has sensationally quit his first round match at the Shanghai tennis Masters.
The volatile Australian stormed off the court after losing the first set to American Steve Johnson in a tiebreaker, and is facing a lengthy ban for his behaviour.
The 22-year-old seemed to direct a couple of expletives in the umpire's direction, and at one stage hit balls into the crowd in frustration.
He later refused to attend the post-match press conference.
Kyrgios has since taken to social media claiming his hasty exit was due to a stomach bug, rather than any sort of protest.
"Guys, I want to apologise to the fans in Shanghai and those that watched around the world on TV today," he posted on Twitter.
"I’ve been battling a stomach bug for the past 24 hours and I tried to be ready but I was really struggling on the court today which I think was pretty evident from the first point.
"My shoulder started to hurt in the practice today which didn’t help either and once I lost the first set I was just not strong enough to continue because I’ve not eaten much the past 24 hours.
"I’m hoping to be okay for the doubles and will make a decision tomorrow morning, hopefully off of a good night’s sleep which I didn’t get last night!
"I’m gutted to be honest as I was keen to keep the good momentum that I built in Beijing going and finish the year strong. I’ll do what I can to make sure I do."
Newshub.
