WATCH | Kei Nishikori loses his cool after ball boy interferes midway through a point

WATCH | Kei Nishikori loses his cool after ball boy interferes midway through a point

SportsCafe Desk

By SportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Kei Nishikori might be one of the calmest players on tour but when a Grand Slam is on, even he is left animated on the court. In a match against Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nishikori was left bewildered that a point was awarded against him after a ball boy had thrown a ball at him midway through the point.

In the first round clash at Roland Garros, after both Nishikori and Kokkinakis held their first two serves of the game, it was the Aussie who took the early initiative and earned himself two break points. However, the Japanese wasupto the task as he saved both points before the game took a surprising turn. 

With the score at deuce, the 21-year-old Aussie took the offensive and dictated the point, catching the World No. 9 out with a cross court shot. Even though Nishikori got there, he was not able to control his shot and ended up skying the ball. The Japanese started making his way towards the ball boys to start serving again, but on realizing the ball was still in play, Nishikori tried to take a defensive stance again. 

However, by this time the ball boy had already thrown the ball at Nishikori and it hit his foot just as Kokkinakis smashed the ball down the line. Nishikori complained to the chair umpire that he had been distracted by the ball boy, but the official was having none of it and awarded the point to the Aussie.

Even though Nishikori was broken in the game and ended up losing the first set 6-4, he came back and won the next three to secure a place in the next round at the French Open.

You can watch the incident here.

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