“Keep doing you”: Kyrgios goes head to head with reporter
After cinching a five-set win against Brandon Nakashima, Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios shut down a reporter’s attempts to stir up controversy.
During his post-match press conference, one reporter targeted Kyrgios’ wardrobe choices - namely the red Jordans and matching cap he wore for his fourth round clash against Nakashima - but the athlete was having none of it.
Referring to Wimbledon’s dress code rules - where players are required to wear almost entirely white while on the court - the reporter questioned why Kyrgios made such bold outfit choices in light of previous comments he made about controversy seeming to “materialise around” him.
“Because I do what I want,” Kyrgios said.
“So you’re above the rules?” the reporter hit back.
“No. I’m not above the rules,” the 27-year-old answered.
“So what is it? They don’t apply to you?” the reporter asked.
“I just like my Jordans.”
Though Kyrgios wasn’t biting, the reporter kept trying to bait the athlete.
“I don’t want to ruin the surprise but the referee’s going to be speaking to you about (his uniform),” the reporter said.
“That’s OK. I’ll wear triple whites tomorrow,” Kyrgios said.
“But that’s fine then. No one else, in both draws, wear …” the reporter began, with Kyrgios interjecting: “But no one else - even after Wimbledon - no one else really walks with Jordans on the court.”
When the moderator tried to interject, the reporter apologised, saying that Kyrgios “just moaned about the controversy that surrounds him”.
“I haven’t moaned. I love it.” Kyrgios said.
“So you just laugh it off then?” the reporter asked.
“Yeah, it’s just more attention for me. What’s that saying? Any publicity is good publicity right?” Kyrgios answered.
“If you say so,” the reporter said, to which Kyrgios replied, “Keep doing you then champion”.
Kyrgios has been the subject of plenty of controversy and criticism, but has said he’s okay with it.
“I just smile,” he said. “It’s so funny. Hilarious. I almost just wake up and read things, I just laugh.
“And I never forget things. Whether it was three, four years ago, I have a massive chip on my shoulder. I sit here now in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon again, and I just know there’s so many people that are so upset.
“None of you know me at all - people love just to have an opinion.”
Image: Getty Images