Kyrgios, who appeared to be having back problems during the match, won in straight sets against the Czech for the second straight week.
This incident follows two other acts of sportsmanship that grabbed attention this season. Jack Sock similarly suggested that Lleyton Hewitt challenge a call at the Hopman Cup. At the Australian Open, Dominic Thiem gave a point to opponent David Goffin after the umpire ordered it to be replayed.
Kyrgios performed the gesture just as his potential suspension by the ATP tour is lifted. The combustible player avoided reaching the amount of fines that would have led to the suspension.
He next plays Stanislas Wawrinka, who was his opponent during the infamous on-court episode that prompted the suspension to be issued. He made a derogatory remark about Wawrinka's girlfriend during their meeting in Montreal.
Kyrgios insists their relationship has improved since.
"We played on the same team at IPTL,” he told the press in Dubai after his match. “I got to know him a little bit."
Wawrinka indicated that he is no longer acting hostile towards him.
"We say hi,” he said. “We're not friends, for sure. We don't go for dinner."
Kyrgios is now on an eight-match winning streak. He captured the title in Marseille—his first—last week.
