Picture Credit: Twitter
The All England Club has fined Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he spat at a fan at Wimbledon. The incident happened during his first round match on Tuesday where Kyrgios registered a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-5 win over Britain's Paul Jubb.
After he bagged the match point, the Aussie turned around and spat at the fan in the stands. He addressed the incident after the game in the press conference "He literally came to the match to literally just not even support anyone, really," Kyrgios said. "It was more just to stir up and disrespect. That's fine. If I give it back to you, that's just how it is", he further added.
He then complained about how the officials on Tuesday were making false claims about his comments at the fan. Kyrios talked about how the lineswoman squealed at the chair umpire Marija Cicak and told her something that didn’t happen. "I said most of the umpires are older, and I just don't think that's ideal when you're playing a sport of such small margins," Kyrgios said.
It wasn’t great but there was a lot of positive: Kyrgios
The Australian then talked about his performance against Paul Jubb. “Obviously nerves, I think just getting over the line in that first round was massive,” Kyrgios said following the 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 triumph.
“I've been playing some really good tennis over the last month so I was really surprised the way I played the other day. It wasn’t great but there was a lot of positives – that I didn’t play anywhere near my best and got through it. Today, obviously I was kind of in my zone, just great body language, just played well. You know, I just wanted to remind everyone that I’m pretty good,” he added
I think it’s my best chance to win a Grand Slam of the four: Kyrgios
Kyrgios, in the press conference, then opened up about how this tournament could be his best chance to win a Grand Slam. “I’m just happy. I’ve been working hard. I’ve been preparing for this tournament. It’s been circled on my calendar pretty much all year and I’m so excited to be here again,” Kyrgios said.
“I think it’s my best chance to win a Grand Slam of the four. I’ll just take it match by match. I’ve obviously got an incredibly tough draw still, but today I couldn’t have played better”, he concluded highlighting his performance in the match.