Wimbledon – Nick Kyrgios threatens trouble again because of red shoes and cap: “I do what I want”

Nick Kyrgios grabbed his ear, he wanted to hear the audience. In the Royal Box at Center Court, Sir Ian McKellen, the Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings films, applauded.

In Wimbledon, the play of the pugnacious Australian will be continued. Because Rafael Nadal is also marching on, the chances of a really big blockbuster in the semifinals are pretty good. Kyrgios plays Chilean underdog Cristian Garin in the quarterfinals.

On Monday, 27-year-old Kyrgios limited himself to a little sporting drama, avoiding antics and escapades like in the previous round against Stefanos Tsitsipas 4:6, 6:4, 7: 6 (7: 2), 3:6, 6:2 gegen Brandon Nakashima from the USA.

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The audience cheered him on, all the louder when Kyrgios announced after the three-hour game: “Tonight I need a glass of wine, that’s for sure.”

Red sneakers, red cap – Kyrgios provokes organizers

Whereby: Kyrgios could not completely resist the peculiarities and taunts. Even before the match, the Australian attracted attention by entering the center court with red and white sneakers and only swapping the shoes for his actual tennis shoes shortly before the match.

He also donned a red cap after the match, which he wore during the on-court interview.

A no-go in Wimbledon, say the rules However, that the players must be dressed almost entirely in white. From the moment they enter the “court environment”.

Kyrgios cared precious little. “I do what I want,” he said at the subsequent press conference when asked by a journalist, but clarified somewhat cryptically: “I’m not above the rules, I just like wearing my Jordans (sneaker brand from Nike; Anm. d. Red.) to wear.”

The Wimbledon organizers must not have been happy about that. Whether Kyrgios is now threatened with another fine was open on Monday evening. The 27-year-old had already been asked to pay twice during the tournament. First for his Spit scandal in round one ($10,000)in the third round against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kyrgios also became fined $4,000 for foul language proven.

Nick Kyrgios

Fotocredit: Getty Images

Kyrgios is thoughtful

Otherwise, Kyrgios was less aggressive than in the days before, more thoughtful. “There was a time when I had to be taken out of the pub at 4am because later I played against Nadal in the second round”, said Kyrgios: “I have come a long way.” And that led him to the top eight at Wimbledon for the second time after 2014.

At that time, Kyrgios had beaten the great Nadal as a teenager, but then did not live up to expectations. Also because he suffered from depression, as he announced in February. At the time he was drinking and using drugs. This season he has stabilized his performance and is a threat to the greatest of tennis. Especially when he pulls himself together like he did against Nakashima.

As much as he provoked Tsitsipas on Saturday and drove him mad, Kyrgios did his job seriously this time. He needed the strength because “that wasn’t my best performance today. I fought hard.” With success, although the shoulder hurt. “I’ve played a lot of tennis in the last month and a half,” he said.

The often ingenious and sometimes rather impertinent professional is not used to this. Kyrgios regularly takes longer breaks from tour life, stays at home Down Under and has fun with his boys on the basketball court, “really tough dogs”, as he says. He skipped the French Open, he figured he had the best chances on grass, where he counts himself among the top 5 in the world.

Nadal could wait again in the semifinals, Kyrgios has not forgotten the memorable success eight years ago. “That was in the back of my mind today,” he said.

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