Nick Kyrgios admits spitting towards fan and says authorities do 'nothing' about relentless racism

Nick Kyrgios had admitted that he deliberately spat towards a Wimbledon fan who was “disrespecting me” and railed against the tennis authorities for doing “nothing” about relentless “racism”.

The Australian said that he was subjected to abuse rather than racism in beating Britain’s Paul Jubb on Court No.2 but, following a furious on-court display, in which he called a line judge “a snitch”, doubled down on his criticism both of officials and fans.

“A lot of disrespect was being thrown today from the crowds,” he said. “Pure disrespect. It's a whole generation of people on social media feeling like they have a right to comment on every single thing with negativity. It just carries on to real life.

“Spectators in general think there's just no line there anymore. You can just bash someone on social media and there's no real consequence. Now, whether it's racial abuse or just disrespect, it's acceptable. My brother has alopecia, and they joke about him being a cancer patient.”

Asked if he spat towards a fan, Kyrgios said: “Of one of the people disrespecting me? Yes. I would not be doing that to someone who was supporting me.”

Kyrgios had earlier hit out at Jubb over an apparent comment during the match. You can't f---ing decide to talk to me in the middle of the point when I'm about to do a backhand, it can't be happening bro,” he said.

Kyrgios also urged umpire Marija Cicak to remove disruptive fans. “Where's the line? That's acceptable, racism is acceptable, so when does it stop?” he said.

He was also angry with a line judge, calling her a “snitch” and accusing her of acting “selfishly” before insisting that she “had no fans” and that “not one person in the stadium has come here to watch her”. He later added: “She found it relevant to go to run to the umpire at 30-Love and make it about her.” Of the spectators that he thought were abusive, he said: “They should be removed. I don't go up to their face in their 9-5 and start clapping when they're scanning s--- at a supermarket.”

Administrators will now decide whether Kyrgios should face disciplinary sanction for his latest comments and behaviour, notably the spit. The umpire must notify the tournament referee’s office of on-court concerns. The press conference will also be reviewed in consultation with the Grand Slam supervisor before it is decided whether to take action.

Kyrgios was adamant that there were no double-standards in how he was talking about other people. He had also complained about line judges “in their nineties” who “can’t even see the ball” during the match. “I hit a ball in, the old man called it out. It was in. If the guy was 40, he may not have called that out,” he said.

“They're not getting abused on social media. My family deals with hate messages. I deal with hate messages. They just move on like nothing happened. They're back out there refereeing, umpiring. Why would I have sympathy for that? You have no idea how much abuse I have to go through.”