PARIS — For much of the first half of 2016, Nick Kyrgios avoided the kind of oncourt outbursts and controversies that marred his breakout campaign last year. Unlike in the past, he has not accosted any fans or made audibly inappropriate remarks about an opponent’s girlfriend.
There are moments when Kyrgios can be downright charming, even during his first-round match Sunday, when he repeatedly complimented his opponent and helped him find a lost piece of equipment.
But then there is his more volatile side, which resurfaced in a profane confrontation with the chair umpire in the same match and lit a spark to a rainy opening day of the French Open.