Tennis: Nick Kygrios loses to 17-year-old, Pokemon Go blamed

Nick Kyrgios has been knocked out on day one of the Rogers Cup by 17-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov. Photo / Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios has suffered an upset first-round loss to local teenage wildcard Denis Shapovalov at the Toronto Masters.

Kyrgios, the 11th seed, went down 7-6(2) 3-6 6-3 to 17-year-old Shapovalov in a day of mixed fortunes for Australia, with Bernard Tomic winning through to the second round.

Some believe that Kygrios' loss may have been influenced by his participation in worldwide phenomenon, Pokemon Go.

Eat, sleep, Pokemon Go

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 25, 2016

Centre Court is ready for you. pic.twitter.com/2eSx7Arh5C

— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) July 24, 2016

The tweets perhaps poorly timed as Kygrios went down to Shapolapov shortly after.

Fans were then quick to blame the app for Kygrios' performance:

@NickKyrgios beaten by world No. 370...spending too much time playing Pokemon it would seem.

— Michael Morgan (@mjmorgan33) July 26, 2016

In an exchange with one twitter user, Kygrios defended his use of the app.

did Fed or Nole have a 2000CP Gyarados... Didn't think so

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 24, 2016

After the match, Kygrios was humble in defeat and had kind words for the young Canadian.

"[Nick] told me I'm a great tennis player and that he wishes me the best." -Shapovalov on the respect he got from @NickKyrgios.

— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) July 26, 2016

But couldn't help himself when it came to throwing a little shade his country's way:

Nick Kyrgios, in his post-match press conference: "I think the Canadian support their athletes a little better than the Australians do."

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) July 26, 2016