Where the Nick Kyrgios questions at Wimbledon should have ended
Whichever you way you look at it, Nick Kyrgios being hit with assault allegations on the eve of his Wimbledon quarter-final was news.
Big news.
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He's the most talked about tennis player on the planet, whether he be spitting at spectators, eviscerating line judges or playing brilliant tennis as he swaggers through the rounds at the world's most prestigious tournament.
Questions put to him about his choice of clothing at Wimbledon were ridiculous and petty and do nothing for the reputation of journalists which, at last check, ranked somewhere between parking inspectors and bluebottles.
But today I come to defend the fourth estate.
The questions put to Kyrgios about his upcoming court date were important and pertinent.
Even the fiery Australian, who can deliver a verbal overhead smash with the best of them, seemed to expect it.
He couldn’t say much, understandably, because it's a legal matter.But he politely lobbed back a reply or two.
"Obviously, I have a lot of thoughts, a lot of things I want to say, kind of my side about it," Kyrgios said.
"Obviously, I've been advised by my lawyers that I'm unable to say anything at this time.
"Look, I understand everyone wants to kind of ask about it and all that, but I can't give you too much on that right now."
The reporter looked to continue the rally and again Kyrgios went for the gentle lob.
"I understand you want me to give you the answers. I can't. I can't speak anymore on the issue," he said.
That's where it should have ended.
It shouldn't have needed the moderator to intervene and tell the inquisitor to cease the line of questioning.
Why the Nick Kyrgios questions are fair game
But I defend the right to ask the question in the first place.
It would be remiss of the press pack not to at least touch on the subject and elicit some sort of response, even though Kyrgios could not go into great detail.
It’s not every day a player reaches the last four at Wimbledon with such a dark cloud over his head.
And the noise will only get louder as the Australian looks ahead to his semi-final showdown with Rafael Nadal.
By Sunday night, Kyrgios may be standing on centre court next to royalty after accepting the silver-gilt trophy.
Next month we could have a reigning Wimbledon champ standing in a completely different court as he answers assault charges.
It's at big as it gets.
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