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29th Jun 2022

Wimbledon: Nick Krygios spits at fan and calls line judge ‘an old man’

Jack Peat

Krygios contested a thrilling five-set win against Britain’s Paul Jubb, but it was his usual on-court antics that got everybody talking.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios spat in the direction of an abusive fan and called a line judge an “old man” during an intense match on Court 3 at this year’s Wimbledon.

The famously fiery world no.40, who is among the favourites to go all the way in this year’s tournament, got off to a winning start following a thrilling 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5 win against Britain’s Paul Jubb in the opening round.

However, it was his trademark on-court antics that got everybody talking, as usual, after the controversial character admitted to spitting in the direction of a “disrespectful” spectator at the end of the game, claiming the fan had come to the match “just to stir up and disrespect”.

Asked if he spat towards the person in the crowd, Kyrgios replied: “Of one of the people disrespecting me, yes” adding: “I would not be doing that to someone who was supporting me.”

The 27-year-old went on to say: “Today, as soon as I won the match, I turned to him…I’ve been dealing with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel like I owed that person anything.

“Like, he literally came to the match to not even support anyone really, it was more just to stir up and disrespect. That’s fine. But if I give it back to you, then that’s just how it is.”

It wasn’t his only flare-up on-court either as earlier in the tournament, he also called one line judge an “old man” and another a “nitch” that “has no fans”.

Kyrgios could face a fine for the incident if the umpire were to notify the referee’s office who, in consultation with the Grand Slam supervisor, would decide on any punishment.

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