Tennis 2022: Nick Kyrgios loses to Cameron Norrie in Saudi Arabia, six-figure payout, Twitter exchange with reporter

The world number 14 beat Kyrgios 10-6 10-6 in two super tiebreaks at the Diriyah Tennis Cup.

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Norrie, who made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon earlier this year, will next face Stefanos Tsitipas in the quarterfinals.

“Obviously it wasn’t the result I wanted, but all credit to Cam, he just played solid and I made a few too many mistakes – and in a tie-break format it’s always difficult,” Kyrgios said.

“I’m not too mad about it. I feel like I’ve given the fans a bit of Nick Kyrgio, which is OK, but hopefully the doubles will go a bit better.

Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev to set up a clash with Dominic Thiem.

The loss was a disappointing early exit for Kyrgios, who entered the exhibition event with much fanfare after revealing he had earned a six-figure paycheck playing in Saudi Arabia.

The event has caused a wide backlash, as Norrie has been heavily criticized for agreeing to participate in the event.

The crowd in the stands in Saudi Arabia has also raised their eyebrows.

After crashing out of the ATP Finals doubles event, Kyrgios decided not to rejoin his Australian counterparts at the Davis Cup.

Instead, he decided to take part in a lucrative exhibition event in Saudi Arabia for the Diriyah Tennis Cup, earning himself a six-figure pay cheque.

However, Kyrgios did not hide from the fact, humbly offering to boast about the upcoming payday.

“Saudi Arabia and Dubai left. You know I have to get a bag,” she wrote on Instagram.

Before the Diriyah Cup, Kyrgios blamed Australia for his decision to skip the Davis Cup.

“Maybe if Australia embraced me a bit more, I’d play it and bring the trophy home,” he told AAP.

“But who knows?

“It is not always easy for me to remove from Australia everything that has been 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 criticizing.”

And the controversy didn’t end there. After losing to Norrie, Kyrgios struck a trying exchange On Twitter with MailOnline tennis writer Mike Dickson.

Dickson posted: “Tennis this month: Players travel to Russia for exhibition; others cash in Saudi Arabia; Wimbledon accused of appropriating Ukraine.

“What a time to be alive.”

Kyrgios replied: “Do you have a problem with us playing in Saudi Arabia? Is it a beautiful place?”

Dickson replied, “I’m sure it is from where you stand

Kyrgios: “So salty that I don’t have to give a shit that I get paid well to do what I love around the world. Keep it up.”

Dickson finished, “Happy for you.”

Kyrgios will compete in one more tournament before the end of the year at the inaugural World Tennis League on 19-24. december

The world No. 22 player turns his attention to the Australian Open in January, where he has twice reached the quarterfinals.