Nick Kyrgios has admitted he spat in the direction of a spectator as he criticised “disrespectful” fans during a post-match news conference while eating sushi.
The 27-year-old Australian tennis star criticised abusive Wimbledon fans and questioned the age of the line judges after reaching the second round with a 3-6 6-1 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 victory over British number eight Paul Jubb.
Asked by a reporter, “At the end, you did appear to spit in the direction of… ” Kyrios responded: “Of one of the people disrespecting me, yes. I would not be doing that to someone who was supporting me.”
He added: “I’ve been dealing with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel like I owed that person anything.
“He literally came to the match to not even support anyone really, just to stir up disrespect. That’s fine, but if I give it back to you, that’s just how it is.”
His meal during the news conference did not go down well with tennis fans.
One tweeted: “Why does Nick Kyrgios think it is okay to eat sushi during a press interview? He complains about being disrespected by the crowd – well respect works both ways and he needs to earn that respect. Terrible!! Will he ever learn?!!”
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Another wrote on Twitter: “Usual fireworks from Nick Kyrgios’ press conference. The Australian came in to the presser eating sushi and went on a rant about not getting enough respect on court.”
Pressed on the comments made to him during the game by spectators, Kyrgios said he was not racially abused during the match, but continued to criticise the crowd generally and the influence of social media in emboldening “negativity”.
“A lot of disrespect was being thrown today,” Kyrgios said. “And I’m just starting to think that it’s normal – when it’s really not.
“I didn’t say anything to the crowd until they started – every time I came down to the far end – just going. I don’t know if it’s normal or not.”
Asked to give an example of what was said to him, he said: “Pure disrespect. Just anything. Someone just yelled out I was s*** in the crowd today. Is that normal? No.
“But I just don’t understand why it is happening, over and over again.”
Asked if Wimbledon should take action, replied: “I don’t know. I am getting it nearly every match I am playing.”
Kyrgios also spoke of his frustration at a fiery exchange with a line judge during the match, with the player standing by his criticism of the “old man”.
“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.
“Factually, people that are younger have better eyesight. Do you not think that’s appropriate?
“When you’re playing a sport for hundreds and thousands of dollars, do you not think that we should have people that are really ready to call the ball in or out?
“That specific thing: I hit a ball in, the old man called it out. It was in. Arguably, if the guy was 40, he may not have called that out. In that case, he got the call wrong.”
Kyrgios served 30 aces and made 55 unforced errors in his hard-fought victory, with 22-year-old Jubb pushing him all the way to five sets.
Earlier, in his on-court interview, Kyrgios paid tribute to the British youngster while also referencing his disappointment with the crowd.
“Incredibly tough,” he said. “Obviously he’s a local wild card, he had nothing to lose, played the moment and played some exceptional tennis.
“(The) crowd was pretty rowdy today, a couple of people in the crowd were not shy of criticising me. That one was for you. You know who you are.”
