Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been hit with a $10,000 (around £8,200) fine after he admitted to spitting at a spectator during his first-round win at Wimbledon.
That was one of several displays of unsportsmanlike conduct courtesy of Kyrgios as he beat Britain's Paul Jubb 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-5. As a result, the 27-year-old has received the largest penalty of any player so far at SW19 this year.
A total of 14 players were handed fines after Wimbledon confirmed the penalties so far in this year's tournament. Alexander Ritschard—who exited the first round at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas—came closest to matching Kyrgios' punishment with a $5,000 (£4,100) fine, also for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Kyrgios appeared unapologetic for his actions during the match against Jubb and admitted to spitting at a member of the crowd. He had challenged the umpire for refusing to eject certain spectators, alleging he was the target of 'racial slurs'.
When asked in the post-match press conference if he had indeed spat at an onlooker, the Canberran retorted: “Of one of the people disrespecting me. Yes. Yes. I would not be doing that to someone who was supporting me. Someone just yelled out I was s**t in the crowd today. Is that normal?”
He went on to suggest the fan in question had attended his match "just to stir up disrespect." The controversial talent—who is attempting to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time since his 2014 debut—added: "That's fine, but if I give it back to you, that's just how it is."
Do you think Nick Kyrgios' fine is a fair punishment for spitting at a spectator? Let us know in the comments section.
Kyrgios needed all five sets to get the better of world No. 219 Jubb but looked as though he'd found his groove during a second-round win over Filip Krajinovic. Scorching the Serb in straight sets, he advanced to the third stage of the competition following a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 demolition.
Saturday's showdown against last year's French Open runner-up, Tstisipas, promises to be a much sterner test. That being said, Kyrgios—who holds Greek heritage—has beaten the Athenian in three of their four encounters to date, including a win in their maiden grass meeting last month.
Incurring penalties has become part and parcel of Kyrgios' career due to his aggressive and often outspoken style of play. The player was fined $35,000 (around £26,500) in April for four charges at the Miami Open, just a few weeks after being slapped with a $25,000 (£19,000) bill at Indian Wells.
