Nick Kyrgios explains new ‘professionalism’ after spitting and swearing in US Open win | Tennis | Sport
Nick Kyrgios has explained how his run to the Wimbledon final has helped him become more “professional” after advancing to the third round of the US Open. The Aussie admitted he was surprised at the change in his behaviour but some were quick to notice the contrast between his comments and his actions during his win over Benjamin Bonzi, in which he spat towards his box and received a warning for swearing.
“Winning Washington, winning so many matches, I just feel like I thought the pressure would be off me after winning Wimbledon. ‘He’s a Wimbledon finalist, he’s nearly over the hump’-type thing,” he continued. “For me, personally, I didn’t think I’d be putting this amount of pressure on myself. Every day I come in, I watch what I eat, I try and get sleep. Like every practice session I try and have good intent.”
Kyrgios also confessed that he had surprised even himself with his new attitude after expecting his Wimbledon final defeat to have the opposite effect, but some were quick to point out his behaviour against Bonzi. “I feel like I’m really professional right now,” he added.
“I never thought that the Wimbledon final would make me that way. I thought it would be the other way, the reverse, almost a bit lax and a bit chilled with it.” Some hit out at the world No 25 for his comments, with one Twitter user writing: “he said this after spitting and screaming profanities at his box?”
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Another added: “He spat repeatedly and screamed at his box. Is this what he calls professional?” It comes after Kyrgios launched a tirade at his team when he was broken to go 4-5 down in the third set, spitting in their direction as he walked to his bench.
“Go home if you’re not going to f****** support me bro,” he then shouted to his team, receiving a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. But the Aussie carried on, adding: “It’s a f***** joke. You’re not a f****** spectator, you’re not a spectator.”
The recent Wimbldon finalist managed to compose himself in the fourth set after going down a break early on, and saved three break points at 4-4 0-40 before closing out the win a game later. He will be back in action at Louis Armstrong Stadium again on Friday.
