NICK KYRGIOS admitted to spitting at a fan who “respected” him in a stormy Wimbledon win.
The Aussie hothead was tested to the limit by Briton Paul Jubb in a tetchy five-setter.
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Kyrgios played the winning shot, then aimed a mouthful of spit toward the section of the No. 3 crowd from which he claimed insulting remarks originated.
When asked if the action was intentional, the 2014 quarter-finalist said: “From one of the people who disrespect me, yes.
“I wouldn’t do that to someone who supported me.”
Kyrgios, 27, also vented his anger at linesmen, knocking a ball off the ground as he struggled to form against York-born Jubb, 22.
He added: “There was a lot of disrespect thrown from the crowd.
“I’m just starting to think it’s normal, when it really isn’t.
“I didn’t say anything to the crowd until they started, every time I got to the end.
“Someone yelled that I wasn’t in the crowd. I don’t understand why it keeps happening.
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“Because there’s a fence there — and I can’t physically do or say anything because I’m in trouble — they feel like they can say whatever they want.”
Kyrgios said he had complained to the match referee about the behavior of the supporters.
SW19 chiefs are awaiting her report, but it is likely Kyrgios will be fined around £16,500 for spitting up.
The unseeded ace also filed an official complaint earlier this month for racist abuse at the Stuttgart Open.
He said: “I’m OK with receiving a lot of it. But as soon as I give it back, for example in Stuttgart, I got a game penalty.
“Today, as soon as I won the race, I turned to him. I’ve dealt with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel I owed that person anything.”
Kyrgios believes it is part of a broader social issue.
I added: “Spectators generally think there is no queue anymore.
“They can just say something, film it and laugh about it. It’s like that can hurt someone’s feelings.
“It’s a whole generation of people on social media who feel they have a right to react negatively to anything.
“Some of the things I have to deal with are disgusting.
“Like my brother has alopecia, and they joke that he’s a cancer patient.”
Kyrgios denied saying the linesmen are “90 and can’t see the ball”.
He added: “I said ‘most referees are older’ and I don’t think it’s ideal in a sport with such narrow margins.”
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