Nick Kyrgios’ lucrative trip to Saudi Arabia is over after one outing with a lost his opening match to Cameron Norrie on Thursday.
The world No. 14 defeated Kyrgios 10-6 10-6 in two super tiebreaks at the Diriyah Tennis Cup.
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Norrie, who made the Wimbledon semi-finals 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 errors – and in the tie-break format, it’s always hard,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m not too mad about it. I feel like I’ve given the fans a little bit of Nick Kyrgios, 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 he revealed he had earned a six-figure pay cheque for playing in Saudi Arabia.
The event has drawn widespread backlash with Norrie being heavily criticised for agreeing to take part in the event.
The very underwhelming crowds in the stands in Saudi Arabia have also raised eyebrows.
After being knocked out of the ATP Finals doubles event, Kyrgios opted to once again not join his Australian counterparts for the Davis Cup.
Instead he made the decision to take part in a lucrative exhibition event in Saudi Arabia for the Diriyah Tennis Cup, earning himself a six-figure pay cheque.
Kyrgios however wasn’t hiding from the fact, instead offering up a humble brag about 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 decision to skip the Davis Cup.
“Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy,” he told 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 end there. After his loss to Norrie, Kyrgios fired up in a testy exchange on Twitter with MailOnline tennis writer 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 finished with: “Pleased for you.”
Kyrgios will contest one more tournament before the year is out at the inaugural World Tennis League on December 19-24.
The World No. 22 will then turn his attention to the Australian Open in January, where he has progressed to the quarterfinals twice.
