Nick Kyrgios wardrobe controversy sparks Wimbledon backlash
The tennis world has been left divided over Nick Kyrgios' apparel when entering and exiting Centre Court at Wimbledon after the enigmatic showstopper wore a red hat and shoes.
Bothered by a shoulder issue that looked to have him in danger of another anti-climactic loss, Kyrgios showed grit and heart against American rising star Brandon Nakashima to seal a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-2 victory.
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The Aussie was able to navigate tough periods during the match, when he vocalised that he couldn't hit a forehand, with his booming serve.
Kyrgios received treatment from the second set onwards, but showed he wasn't ready to let this Wimbledon opportunity slip through his grasp after closing out the match in emphatic fashion.
However, as always, all eyes were on Kyrgios during and after the match considering the fireworks in the previous round.
Kyrgios usual antics were downplayed on Centre Court with the Aussie clearly focusing his attention on battling through the painful shoulder injury.
But, many fans and a reporter took exception to Kyrgios' attire on court.
All players are expected to wear white attire when entering, playing and leaving court at Wimbledon.
Following the victory, Kyrgios discarded his white hat and shoes and put on red coloured replacements.
One reporter attempted to question Kyrgios about the attire change, which is against the tradition of Wimbledon.
"Why would you walk on to centre court and put bright red trainers on and do an interview in a bright red cap?" the reporter asked Kyrgios in his post-match Wimbledon press conference.
It's getting ridiculous now.
Listening to Nick Kyrgios' press conference after booking his place in a grand slam QUARTERFINAL, and he was asked why he wore red shoes onto the court.
But the 'keep doing you champion' is *chefs kiss*#Wimbledon https://t.co/whN9Qfj3zb— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) July 4, 2022
Kyrgios replied without biting into the question.
"Because I do what I want," he said.
"So you're above the rules?" the reporter replied.
"No, I am not above the rules," he said.
"I just like wearing my Jordans...I'll wear white tomorrow."
The move certainly divided the tennis world with many calling for him to cop a fine, while others said it was just another case of Kyrgios being picked on by the media.
Kyrgios was also widely praised for not being baited into the reporter's follow up questions.
Terrible question toward the end of the @NickKyrgios presser today about him walking on and off court with a red Jordan hat and red Jordan sneakers. He’s not playing the match in that attire. Kyrgios knew he was trying to egg him on, but didn’t fall for it. Well done.
— Tennis Connected (@TennisConnected) July 4, 2022
How it’s done pic.twitter.com/ZJIXj4TWJd
— The Grade Cricketer (@gradecricketer) July 4, 2022
But struggling very hard to care about Kyrgios doing an interview in a red cap. Really? Is this where we are? NB he said nice courteous things in his red cap
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) July 4, 2022
Kyrgios doing his rebellious Y10 high school student impersonation by wearing red shoes and red baseball hat…
He’ll show them and their silly uniform rules! 🙄 😂#Wimbledon— Margaret Graham (@MarGraham) July 4, 2022
@Wimbledon I hope Kyrgios is penalised for deliberately flouting the white rule by wearing his red trainers and red hat. He also used the f word when he won. He needs to understand the rules apply to him too. @BBCNews
— Cheryl Alston (@CherylJoanDavis) July 4, 2022
Oh come on, stop being silly, Its a hat and shoes. You guys find anything to criticise him for.
— ᴠᴇɴɢᴇᴀɴᴄᴇ (@StrayaSportsFan) July 4, 2022
Imagine not finding anything decent to pick on Kyrgios about today, so you decide to attack him about his shoes. And tell him how he’s about to “get in trouble”.
If it’s just a fine and not DQ to break dress code, I hope if he finals he comes onto the court in a bright red shirt https://t.co/up2MdTAN5k— Tim Rosen (@timrosen35) July 4, 2022
Wimbledon journalists when they see Nick Kyrgios’s hat pic.twitter.com/dhIdkTTBMY
— Naaman Zhou (@naamanzhou) July 4, 2022
Kyrgios may cop a fine for flouting the rules, but it didn't appear to bother the box-office drawcard after reaching the quarter-final.
Nick Kyrgios rallies during tough Wimbledon match
Commentator Todd Woodbridge was left baffled after he accused Kyrgios of tanking the fourth set, with fears of an all-too-familiar meltdown on the cards.
However, Kyrgios also offered fans a glimpse into his psyche showing a more personal side to himself during the press conference.
Kyrgios made a stunning admission that he wanted to battle through the tough period on Centre Court and was able to enjoy the moment towards the end.
“He was playing really well. I wasn’t playing that great. But I was almost enjoying the competitiveness,” Kyrgios said.
“That’s probably the first time in my career where I wasn’t playing well, regardless of playing Centre Court Wimbledon, fully packed crowd, (and) I was able to just say, ‘Wow, look how far I’ve come’, to myself.
"I was bouncing the ball before I served. I really just smiled to myself. I was like, ‘We’re here, we’re competing at Wimbledon, putting in a good performance mentally’.”
Whatever he did, it worked as Kyrgios extended his stunning unbeaten record in Wimbledon five-setters to 6-0 after dominating Nakashima in the decider.
"I've been here before, done it before and that is what I was thinking about," Kyrgios told his fans afterwards.
"Nowhere near my best performance, but I fought through, and the crowd were amazing.
"I have played a lot of tennis in the last month and a half and I'm just proud with how I played (with the injury)."
Now as he enjoys the prospect of only his third-ever last-eight appearance in a slam, it really does look like opportunity truly knocks for the 27-year-old, who hasn't been in the last-eight at Wimbledon since he was a Rafael Nadal-terrorising teenager in 2014.
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