Wimbledon may have only just begun but Nick Kyrgios isn’t wasting any time when it comes to leaving his mark at the famed tournament. With his fiery antics that seem to punctuate and at times, even eclipse, the incredible feats of athleticism and power he brings to the court, audiences have flocked to see the young, Aussie star. But during his first-round victory, Kyrgios spat towards a spectator and criticised officials.
Kyrgios was handed down a fine of $14,500 for his actions. When it came to the post-match interview after his second-round win, he let his thoughts on the matter be known and made it clear that while he received a fine, he still believes tennis players don’t get the respect they deserve – both from fans in the crowd and the media. “I’m just really sick of the media right now. They’re just nitpicking all of my matches. So today was about just being locked in. I joked with them just then ‘I love that you’ve got nothing to write about today.’”
Kyrgios added, “I just feel like people just don’t give me the respect sometimes because of other things that I do. There was just nothing the media could possibly tell me I did wrong today. I just know that you can’t possibly ask me anything and stir anything up. And I love it because then they can’t write anything. What are you going to say? Nothing today. Dumbfounded, all of you.”
Asked about the possibility of a sanction after the spitting incident, Kyrgios replied: “I couldn’t care less if there is an investigation. I know what I bring to the sport. I just feel like I’m comfortable in my own skin. Some people love to just tear me down. It’s just not possible anymore.”
After copping a hefty fine, Kyrgios also announced that he would be pulling out of his doubles quest at Wimbledon to concentrate solely on his hope of securing the singles title. While we can’t help but barrack for the Aussie in his singles run to the final, it’s a brutal blow for those wanting to see the “Special Ks” back in action, after the doubles pair of Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis became the first Aussie pair to win the doubles title at the Australian Open since 1997. Since then, it’s been all we can do but wonder if they would reunite for another run at a Grand Slam trophy.
Kyrgios however, is all too focused on his singles career. He cruised past 16 seed Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, despite being unseeded. Now, Kyrgios feels he has what it takes to make it to the end, but must remain diligent in his preparation and recovery. “I’m a singles player: my priority has always been singles. I’ve made quarter-finals here before, I’ve won singles titles,” he said. “I played nearly four hours in my first round. Me personally, it was just too much time on court. Today, I made up for that. But I want to put my singles as my priority. I’m doing what’s best for my body.”
With his powerful display on the court which saw Kyrgios play some composed tennis, wrapping up the first set in just 26 minutes and winning his first 21 points on serve, many are seeing big things ahead for Kyrgios. Aussie doubles legend and commentator, Todd Woodbridge, said he believes Kyrgios can make it to the semi-finals stage and beyond.
“This is the year that opportunity awaits,” said Woodbridge. “He sits in the bottom half of the draw with Rafael Nadal and he’s beaten him here before.”
While it remains to be seen, for Kyrgios his performance on court was merely a reflection of the confidence and skill he always knew he had. “I just wanted to remind everyone that I’m pretty good,” he said with a straight face during his on-court interview. “I couldn’t have played better.”
