Nick Kyrgios defends spitting at fan during first-round win

SPITTING MAD: Nick Kyrgios during his match against Paul Jubb on day two of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Wimbledon officials are deliberating over whether to fine Nick Kyrgios after he admitted he spat towards a spectator and called a line judge a “snitch” during a stormy first-round victory against Britain’s Paul Jubb.

The Australian claimed there were mitigating circumstances for his behaviour by accusing the umpire of ignoring his pleas for an abusive spectator to be ejected, and also blamed social media for creating a new breed of supporter who enjoy filming themselves abusing sports stars.