• A fan gets his hair cut during the quarter-finals match between Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Russia's Karen Khachanov at the 2022 US Open at Arthur Ash stadium in New York. Getty Images / AFP
    A fan gets his hair cut during the quarter-finals match between Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Russia's Karen Khachanov at the 2022 US Open at Arthur Ash stadium in New York. Getty Images / AFP
  • The pranksters' seats were close to the epic match that ended at 1am. Getty Images / AFP
    The pranksters' seats were close to the epic match that ended at 1am. Getty Images / AFP
  • The barber brought in all of his own supplies. Getty Images / AFP
    The barber brought in all of his own supplies. Getty Images / AFP
  • The jokesters were eventually asked to leave by security. AP
    The jokesters were eventually asked to leave by security. AP
  • The prankster barber even brought his own hair-catching cape. AP
    The prankster barber even brought his own hair-catching cape. AP
  • Kyrgios smashes his racket after his quarter-final match against Khachanov. Reuters
    Kyrgios smashes his racket after his quarter-final match against Khachanov. Reuters
  • Kyrgios smashed several rackets during and after play. Getty Images / AFP
    Kyrgios smashed several rackets during and after play. Getty Images / AFP
  • Another one bites the dust. Getty Images / AFP
    Another one bites the dust. Getty Images / AFP
  • Khachanov shakes hands with Kyrgios after defeating him in five sets. EPA
    Khachanov shakes hands with Kyrgios after defeating him in five sets. EPA
  • Khachanov celebrates his victory against Kyrgios. EPA
    Khachanov celebrates his victory against Kyrgios. EPA
  • Kyrgios spent a lot of his time on the court yelling. Getty Images / AFP
    Kyrgios spent a lot of his time on the court yelling. Getty Images / AFP
  • Kyrgios shows a lot of emotion when he plays. AFP
    Kyrgios shows a lot of emotion when he plays. AFP
  • Kyrgios racked up at least $25,000 in fines at the US Open for his behaviour. EPA
    Kyrgios racked up at least $25,000 in fines at the US Open for his behaviour. EPA
  • South African comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah watches the Kyrgios/Khachanov match. AFP
    South African comedian and talk show host Trevor Noah watches the Kyrgios/Khachanov match. AFP
  • Actress Amanda Seyfried was also in the stands cheering on Kyrgios. AFP
    Actress Amanda Seyfried was also in the stands cheering on Kyrgios. AFP
  • Aussie actress Naomi Watts watches the match between Kyrgios and Khachanov. Getty Images / AFP
    Aussie actress Naomi Watts watches the match between Kyrgios and Khachanov. Getty Images / AFP
  • American billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson takes in the Kyrgios v Khachanov match. EPA
    American billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson takes in the Kyrgios v Khachanov match. EPA
  • Noah reacts to a play or the haircut. Getty Images / AFP
    Noah reacts to a play or the haircut. Getty Images / AFP
  • Seyfried waves to the crowd. Getty Images / AFP
    Seyfried waves to the crowd. Getty Images / AFP

US Open ejects fans for barbershop prank during Kyrgios meltdown


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The quarter-finals at the US Open on Tuesday night got a little hairy when a fan decided to give his friend a trim.

The prank went down in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium, as Australian Nick Kyrgios and Russia’s Karen Khachanov duked it out in a match that included broken rackets, excessive swearing and thrown water bottles.

Adding to the drama, a pair of pranksters brought out hair clippers and a barber’s cape in the middle of the heated play for a courtside fade.

Australia's Nick Kyrgios smashes his racket after his quarter-final match against Russia's Karen Khachanov at the US Open in New York. Reuters
Australia's Nick Kyrgios smashes his racket after his quarter-final match against Russia's Karen Khachanov at the US Open in New York. Reuters

Tournament security removed the two from the match before the makeover could be completed.

“When someone saw it, security went to the two individuals. They were escorted out of their seats and then off the grounds for disruption of play,” US Tennis Association Brendan McIntyre told AP.

“There’s a first time for anything.”

Kyrgios went down to Khachanov 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, 4-6 in a match that lasted three hours and 39 minutes and was completed at 1am.

Kyrgios smashed several rackets, yelled at his supporter box, and was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing a water bottle. He already racked up $25,000 in fines during this tournament.

Fellow Aussies Naomi Watts and Ben Simmons were spotted waving Australian flags, with stars such as Amanda Seyfriend and Trevor Noah enjoying the antics as well.

No word on whether the stars also got a shave and a haircut.

Celebrity sightings at Serena Williams US Open match — in pictures

  • NFL quarterback Russell Wilson with his wife - singer Ciara - at the US Open match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic in New York on Friday, September 2, 2022. AFP
    NFL quarterback Russell Wilson with his wife - singer Ciara - at the US Open match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic in New York on Friday, September 2, 2022. AFP
  • Boxing great Mike Tyson and daughter Milan Tyson watch Serena Williams's US Open third round match against Ajla Tomljanovic in New York. EPA
    Boxing great Mike Tyson and daughter Milan Tyson watch Serena Williams's US Open third round match against Ajla Tomljanovic in New York. EPA
  • Model Bella Hadid, top second from right, and NFL star Saquon Barkley, bottom right, at the US Open on Friday. AP
    Model Bella Hadid, top second from right, and NFL star Saquon Barkley, bottom right, at the US Open on Friday. AP
  • Model Bella Hadid, top right, at the US Open match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic. EPA
    Model Bella Hadid, top right, at the US Open match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic. EPA
  • Russel Wilson and Ciara at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Friday. USA TODAY Sports
    Russel Wilson and Ciara at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Friday. USA TODAY Sports
  • Director Spike Lee records the final moments of the match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open on Friday. EPA
    Director Spike Lee records the final moments of the match between Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open on Friday. EPA
  • New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches Serena Williams's third-round match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia at the US Open. EPA
    New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches Serena Williams's third-round match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia at the US Open. EPA
  • Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons at the US Open on Friday. EPA
    Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons at the US Open on Friday. EPA
  • Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Friday. AFP
    Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Friday. AFP
  • Spike Lee during the match between Ajla Tomlijanovic and Serena Williams. AFP
    Spike Lee during the match between Ajla Tomlijanovic and Serena Williams. AFP
  • TV host Gayle King during the US Open match between Ajla Tomlijanovic and Serena Williams. AFP
    TV host Gayle King during the US Open match between Ajla Tomlijanovic and Serena Williams. AFP
  • NHL player PK Subban at the US Open on Friday. AFP
    NHL player PK Subban at the US Open on Friday. AFP
  • Serena Williams is greeted by Billie Jean King at the US Open. AFP
    Serena Williams is greeted by Billie Jean King at the US Open. AFP

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Updated: September 07, 2022, 4:20 PM