"Where is the crowd? I remember the crowd being like soccer matches when I played" - Nick Kyrgios highlights empty stands during Acapulco semifinal

Nick Kyrgios may not be playing at the 2023 Mexican Open, but he did not shy away from highlighting the empty stands during the start of the semifinal between Alex de Minaur and Holger Rune.

Kyrgios, who won the 2019 edition of the tournament, underwent knee surgery in January after withdrawing from the Australian Open and is yet to return to action.

The Aussie recalled the "crowd being like soccer matches" while also declaring that the atmosphere in Acapulco was amongst the best that he had played in.

"Where is the crowd? I only remember the crowd being like soccer matches when I played there. Some of the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in," Kyrgios tweeted.

He was responding to an ATP Tour video that was recorded during the toss ahead of the clash between Holger Rune and Alex de Minaur that showed numerous empty seats in the background.

Tennis fans, however, reckoned that the spectators had taken a break following a marathon first semifinal between Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, which lasted well over three hours.

Tommy Paul got past friend and compatriot Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-7(2), 7-6(2) in the longest-ever match to be played at Acapulco.

The 25-year-old American will take on Alex de Minaur in his maiden ATP 500 final after the Australian battled past Holger Rune, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Nick Kyrgios' ardent fans chose to attribute the low attendance to the 2022 Wimbledon finalist's absence at the event despite the fact that a packed house witnessed Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz in action earlier that evening.

Nick Kyrgios' bitter-sweet moments in Acapulco

Kyrgios after being forced to retire in the first round of the 2020 Mexican Open

Despite Nick Kyrgios' admission that he loved the atmosphere in Acapulco, the 27-year-old has had his share of ups and downs at the venue.

The Canberra-born player had a stellar run at the ATP 500 event back in 2019, where he got past Rafael Nadal in the second round, having beaten Andreas Seppi in the opener.

Following commendable victories against Stan Wawrinka and John Isner, Kyrgios hit 13 aces in the final against Alexander Zverev en route to a memorable 6-3, 6-4 triumph.

The ecstasy of the 2019 title win was followed by a first-round exit the following year as the defending champion had to retire due to a wrist injury.

After being booed following the withdrawal, Nick Kyrgios called the Mexican crowd "disrespectful" while also revealing that he tried his best to compete despite coming into the contest with an injury.

“I’m not healthy. I tried to come here, I tried to play. I’ve been doing media here and helping out. I tried to play, I tried to give the fans a little bit of tennis. And then they’re disrespectful,” he stated, following the early exit.