Thiem halts The Nick Kyrgios Experience at Australian Open

Thiem's mindset there? "I was dealing with the loss already," he said.

The stadium was about three-quarters full Friday; many in attendance were not mindful of being socially distant or wearing the masks that were to become mandatory at midnight for the state of Victoria. The state government has imposed a five-day lockdown because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

While competition at the tournament can continue, no spectators will be allowed as of Saturday.

"Tonight was epic," Thiem said, "and a good last match before the lockdown."

So with one last night out for the time being, folks were living their best lives. They sang at changeovers, while Kyrgios sipped from a soda can. They jumped and screamed at Kyrgios' winners. They pounded the backs of seats. They cheered Thiem's mistakes. They booed close line calls that went against Kyrgios — even though such decisions are determined by an automated system of cameras, not line judges, at this event. The spectacle started during the warmup, when Kyrgios — wearing a beige sleeve on his left leg — paused his practice serves to wave his racket and ask his fellow Aussies to get louder. They obliged, of course, eliciting a big grin from their guy.

When Kyrgios broke serve in the match's initial game, he hopped in delight and relished the cascading cheers, cupping his right hand on his ear to again implore for more — and, again, they complied.

His first game featured an underarm serve and a between-the-legs half-volley, neither of which worked — nor were they the last of those tricks he would try.

When Thiem pushed a forehand out to get broken and trail 5-4 in the second, Kyrgios yelled "Let's go, baby!" as he strutted to the changeover. When the underarm ace ended the set, Kyrgios stretched his arms wide, as if to say, "Are you not entertained?" Later, he questioned the loss of a point on a hindrance call, saying that his yell was no louder or more distracting to his opponent than other players' grunts.