With a dominant victory over Filip Krajinovic in the second round of Wimbledon on Thursday, Nick Kyrgios declared himself one of the “most important people” in tennis, aiming to “remind everyone” of his talent.
With a 6-2 6-3 6-1 victory, the Australian set up an enthralling third-round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the aftermath of Kyrgios spitting at a spectator during his first-round victory over Paul Jubb.
The 2014 Wimbledon quarter-finalist was fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour, the highest penalty announced thus far at the tournament.
“Some people, like, love to just tear me down. It’s just not possible anymore,” he had told reporters before the fine was issued.
“I just want people who watch this press conference or my tennis to believe in themselves, to be themselves, and not to try to be someone else up here. Don’t just repeat what you’ve been told.
“To be brutally honest, I couldn’t care less if there’s an investigation into what I did. I’m aware of what I bring to the game. One of the sport’s most influential figures. Do you want to talk about it? There’s nothing to look into because it’s all true.
“I’m extremely confident in myself. All the challenges I’ve overcome in my life. Proud to be up here and doing it my own way. Being able to produce tennis like that at Wimbledon, it’s a dream come true for any tennis player.”
Kyrgios let his skill with the racket lead the way against Krajinovic, admitting that the aftermath of his win over Jubb had left him “locked in” going into the match.
“Well, I didn’t want to remind people that I’m good; I know that I’m good,” he continued. “I just feel like people just don’t give me the respect sometimes because of other things that I do.
“There was nothing the media could possibly say I did wrong today. I just know you can’t possibly ask me anything and make me upset. And I like it because you can’t write anything else. What do you intend to say? There is nothing today. You’re all dumbfounded.
“I felt really good today from the start. I felt like I returned really well from the back of the court. Today, I was completely committed from the start.
“I just wanted to, I don’t know, just prove to people that, like, I’m really good. I feel like I just don’t have the respect sometimes, you know?”
“I don’t mind when crowds get up and about and support. Obviously, if there’s a wild card, and they’re locals, they want to see their countrymen do well. I’m all for that,” he said. “I’m all for fans to be as loud as they want. But just there’s a line I think of disrespect where this is not acceptable in any sport.
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