Wimbledon fan at centre of Nick Kyrgios outburst speaks out
A Wimbledon spectator who drew the ire of Nick Kyrgios during Sunday's final has spoken out after copping a tirade from the Aussie.
Kyrgios shocked Novak Djokovic early when he claimed the first set against the former World No.1, setting up the possibility of a monumental boilover on centre court.
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However, Djokovic wasn't deterred and was able to turn things around to claim his 21st grand slam title.
The combustible Kyrgios threatened to unravel when he received a code violation after losing his cool at the chair umpire after claiming to have been distracted by a female spectator talking between his serves.
He also accused her of having a few too many drinks and was involved in a fiery tirade towards the umpire about her behavior.
“Distracting me when I’m serving in a Wimbledon final,” Kyrgios said to the umpire.
“There’s not a bigger occasion. You didn’t believe me. And she did it again. It nearly cost me the game.
“Why is she still here? She’s drunk out of her mind in the first row, speaking to me in the middle of a game. What’s acceptable? Nothing is acceptable? So kick her out!
“I know exactly which one it is. It’s the one who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks, bro.”
The fan in question, named Anna Palus, has since revealed she was actually attempting to support the Aussie.
She was eventually escorted outside for 15 minutes before returning to her seat.
Speaking to the media later on Sunday, Palus claimed she didn't consume nearly as many drinks as Kyrgios suggested.
“I understand what it is like to be an underdog so I wanted to give him support," she told the UK Telegraph.
“Maybe I took it too far so for that I am sorry but I only had good intentions.”
In his post-match press conference, Kyrgios was told: “You might find this interesting but since she’s said that she had two drinks and she was actually rooting for you from the start. What do you make of that?”
Kyrgios hit back: “That doesn’t make it OK to start talking to Nick Kyrgios, who’s playing a final of Wimbledon, middle of the point. Why are you trying to make that OK?"
Nick Kyrgios gets frustrated at question
When pressed on whether he feels he should have showed more composure during the final, Kyrgios hit back at the question.
"I think the other 126 players in the draw could improve their composure," he said.
"But at times out there, obviously I was getting angry a bit because I just looked at it as, (if) you win this tournament, you become the tennis immortal, I feel.
"It was just an opportunity for me that people work their entire life for.
"I put myself in a position to win the first set. Things started to get rocky a bit. He was just solid. Then I win that fourth set and who knows.
"I mean, yeah, I can obviously improve many things in my game, not just composure. My forehand return needs to improve. I've been working on that a lot. Can always get stronger. Can always get fitter."
"I feel like that (question) was a bit of a dig, but I feel like everyone in the draw can improve something."
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