Nick Kyrgios could not be more proud of his Wimbledon command performance, with the Australian personality ducking any potential controversy on his way Thursday into the third round.
Kyrgios hammered Serb Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, winning comprehensively without a word of protest to any linesman or official throughout.
The tennis lightning rod defied media to challenge what he considered near-perfection on the grass with 24 aces and 50 winners.
He called the one-way victory “a gentle reminder to put you all back in your place (regarding) the performance today.
“Today from the get-go, I just felt really good. From the back of the court I felt like I really returned well. I was just very just locked in.”
The No. 40 added: “I just wanted to prove to people that, like, I’m really good. I feel like I just don’t have the respect sometimes.
“I’m rewarding myself with the hard work I’m putting in. All the grass court matches I played, I wanted to feel like I was able to showcase it at Wimbledon.”
After tabloid reports that a first-round spitting incident and clash with the chair umpire might mean his matches are kept off the show courts, the 27-year-old expressed total indifference.
“I don’t mind what court I play on, these courts are beautiful. It’s probably one of the best tennis centres in the world.”
With his next match against fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kyrgios can feel his excitement building.
“(Against) Tsitsipas it will be on a larger court – most likely Court 1.
“I’m excited. I feel like we both earned the right. We’re two of the biggest stars in the sport. Hopefully if we both bring our best tennis, it’s going to be amazing to watch.”
