She wanted a toy from a store we were in and I said no. She continued to ask and ask and ask and I kept saying no as we looked for the batteries we needed. I told her she had plenty of toys at home and would not be getting a new one today.

As we were heading to the checkout she made her last-ditch attempt to convince me to buy her the toy. She said she was not leaving the shop until she had the toy.

“Really?” I asked. “Well, I hope you find somewhere to sleep because I’m buying these batteries and then I’m going home. I’ll come and get you in the morning. Have a nice time.”

I then went to the checkout and purchased the batteries as my daughter stood a metre from me with her mouth gaping open in shock. She then grabbed my hand and went home without a fuss.

Would I leave my daughter behind in a department store? No, I would not, but she doesn’t know that. What she does know is when Mum says no, it means no.

Perhaps I should get Kyrgios to sit down with my now four-year-old and she can explain to him how throwing tantrums just doesn’t cut it.

For those of you who missed it, Kyrgios was playing Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the opening round of Wimbledon.

Mohammed Lahyani was overseeing the match and is one of the sport’s leading umpires.

Kyrgios won the first two sets 6-0, 6-2.

In the sixth game of the third set, Kyrgios became upset with the umpire’s handling of a disputed line call.

The Aussie argued and eventually said he would sit down and not play until a supervisor came out.

If Kyrgios wants to behave like a little brat, the umpires should treat him as one. They should start using the countdown on him.

Here is how I think it could play out.

Kyrgios: “I’m going to sit down and I’m not going to play until a supervisor comes out.”

Umpire: “Well, if you sit down and refuse to play you will forfeit the match. This is your warning. I’m going to count to three and if you’re not back on the baseline when I finish you will forfeit the match, no arguments. One...two...”

I don’t think they’d need to worry about three.

Kyrgios went on to win the match in three sets.

Of course the drama doesn’t end there. During one of the breaks, the Australian said “dirty scum” under his breath which he insists he said to himself. I call bulldust, just as most people have.

He later said he wouldn’t worry if he was fined for his comment. Well then, how about instead of fining him a nominal amount, whatever prize money he wins (and let’s not forget the winner gets approximately $AUS3.8 million), don’t give it to him. Share it between the umpires instead.

We shouldn’t overlook a sportsperson’s bad behaviour just because they keep winning. Nor should his age (he’s 20) be an excuse.

Good sportsmanship should start when you first take up a sport.