Australian tennis star Max Purcell blasts ball kid's mistake at Melbourne Park – before taking a swipe at the city's famous coffee
- Purcell left in a rage after Ballkid picked up a water bottle
- The Australian star complained to the referee about the distraction
- Purcell is not particularly impressed with Melbourne coffee
Aussie fan favorite Max Purcell complained to a referee about a ball kid during his Australian Open victory on Tuesday – before taking a swipe at the coffee in Melbourne.
Purcell, a 25-year-old Sydneysider who has a Wimbledon doubles title to his name, was distracted by a ball boy who picked up a water bottle during the fourth set of his 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 win Tuesday in the first round of Mate Valkusz.
“He's literally in storage, I'm looking at the ball, the kid is just walking off the field,” Purcell said.
'Do you see the ball girl? It's your point [Valkusz], it is well. She grabbed a water bottle and started walking down the track. She's been walking back and forth.'
Purcell was visibly irritated, but did not argue for the point to be replayed.
Aussie Max Purcell defeated Hungarian qualifier Mate Valkusz in a heated four-setter
“I'm sure the ball boy there may have thought the game was over, or just got confused about the phase of the point. He had a point but the referee didn't see it,” commentators on Nine explained.
Despite the distraction, the Aussie managed to win the match and will face Casper Ruud in the second round.
Purcell said the support from the crowd at the Kia Arena was crucial to his victory.
“I definitely needed y'all's support…I was gagging in there. You really helped me cross the line,” he said.
“I was like, 'turn it up,' the guy was hitting me.
“It broke and I got through it. I think it started working for me when he started guessing on my first serve. In that first set he didn't give me any chance.
“It took me forever to fucking shut it down. I could have easily done a fifth set… I feel pretty good.”
Purcell, who is somewhat of a coffee connoisseur and is known for reviewing his cafe experiences on social media, admitted he is unimpressed by the city's famous brews.
The Australian tennis star will next face Casper Ruud in the second round of the Open
“I try to save the best for later in the tournament,” he said.
“But they're solid. I finished them all, so that's all that matters.”
When asked to describe his match against Valkusz as if it were a coffee, Purcell didn't hesitate.
“Probably middle of the road, just like Melbourne has been so far,” he said.
“It's fine, it did its job, but it wasn't pretty.”