Australian Open: 'Mad Dog' Marinko Matosevic hits out at coach
Marinko Matosevic ripped into his coach - Australian doubles legend Mark Woodforde - for his lack of verbal support during an unsuccessful fight against Kei Nishikori.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: January 14, 2014 01:12 PM IST
Luckless Australian Marinko Matosevic was knocked out of a Grand Slam at the first hurdle for the 12th time in a row on Tuesday and lashed out at his coach for a lack of support.
Matosevic went down 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to Japan's Kei Nishikori in an epic battle in furnace-like conditions at the Australian Open to maintain his winless major run, which stretches back to 2010.
The 28-year-old was not happy, particularly with being docked a point for a time violation at an important stage of the third set, allowing Nishikori to claim a 5-2 lead.
But he reserved his venom for his coach, Australian doubles legend Mark Woodforde, whom he accused of not giving enough verbal support.
"I wanted my coach to vocally support me, but he wouldn't," said Matosevic, nicknamed Mad Dog.
Matosevic is coached by Woodforde, one half of the famous "Woodies" doubles team that won the men's title at Melbourne Park in 1992 and 1997.
"I've spoken about it before, but I don't know. Some players need verbal support, some don't.
"I'm a player that likes it and needs it and wants it. So if my coach is just going to sit there and clap, I expect more."
Matosevic also admitted he was distracted during the game by people shouting out "Mad Dog", a nickname he doesn't like.
"Yeah, hearing the stupid nickname," he said. "Because it's not my nickname. Some idiot put it on Wikipedia."