Agencies-Gaza post
Aussie hothead fights Wimbledon fans spitting
Nick Kyrgios said he suffered “Disrespect” from the Wimbledon crowd, defending his actions after spitting toward a fan after a bad-tempered first-round win.
Kyrgios had to dig deep before beating Britain wildcard Paul Jubb in a five-set bout on Tuesday, with the Australian frequently clashing with spectators and a linesman.
Kyrgios, 27, accused the game director “Traitor” and he was heard protesting with referee Marija Cicak about controlling noisy members of the crowd in the third seat, even calling for some of them to be removed. At some point, out of frustration, Kyrgios also shot a ball over the stands.
At the end of the game, Kyrgios turned toward the crowd and appeared to spit at them.
When asked at a press conference if he spat at a spectator, Kyrgios replied: “By one of the people who doesn’t respect me? Yes.”
“I wouldn’t do that to anyone who supports me,” Kyrgios added.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist claimed there was player hostility “More and more is happening in the sport.”
“I don’t go into Argos and just start smashing someone up at the counter when they’re doing their job.” said the world number 40.
“I’ve never done that in my life. I just think viewers think there’s just no line there anymore. They can just say something and they film it and then they laugh about it.”
Kyrios ate sushi throughout the press conference and claimed someone in the crowd branded him “Crap.”
“Is that normal? No. But it happens over and over again. I think it’s a level of respect. Why do you think that’s acceptable?” he asked.
Kyrios also defended those “Traitor” Comments he made after the linesman discussed a particular line decision with the umpire.
“All these spectators came to see a full stadium with Nick Kyrgios and my opponent,” said Kyrgios.
“She felt it was important to run to the referee 30-0 and make it over her. In fact, no one was there to see her today.”
Kyrgios continued his tirade and brought it up “to hate” that he said he and his family are exposed on social media.
“My girlfriend deals with hate speech. My family deals with hate speech. I deal with hate messages” complained the Aussie star.
Kyrgios could be punished by Wimbledon organizers for his actions in what would be far from the first time he has been sanctioned for his antics.
Back in 2019, Kyrgios was banned by the ATP for 16 weeks and fined $25,000 for “aggravated behavior”.
That comes a month after he was fined $113,000 for a Cincinnati meltdown in which Kyrgios insulted the referee and obliterated two goons.
Despite the reprimands, Kyrgios continues to be involved in explosive scenes almost every time he goes to court.
Earlier this month he accused fans in Stuttgart of racially insulting him during a game in the German city.
Kyrgios meets Serbian Filip Krajinovic in the second round at SW19 on Thursday and is back in action in men’s doubles on Wednesday, where he teams up with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Source: here
