Nick Kyrgios has laughed off questions regarding his on-court attire, as he opted to change his shoes and hat before taking a post-match interview following his gutsy performance in the fourth round.
Kyrgios’ detractors were desperate for something, anything, to take the shine off his impressive five-set win, where he battled a shoulder ailment throughout, receiving treatment several times.
But if his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas was a ‘circus’, as the vanquished Greek proposed it was, this was anything but.
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Save for a couple of words with the chair umpire late in the contest, Kyrgios was focused, and almost reserved at times.
Few sports stars are as polarising – and when Kyrgios switched his hat and shoes for a red Jordan brand cap and some matching sneakers, it gave his critics – of which there were fewer than his last match, for obvious reasons – the ammunition they needed.
On commentary, Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge said that his countryman “might receive a letter in his locker” about the hat and shoe change.
The 27-year-old’s post-win press conference was nothing like the combative environment that it was two days ago, right until the very end.
A reporter posed the idea that Kyrgios invites his own controversy, including an open flaunting of clear wardrobe rules.
“Why then would you walk on to centre court with bright red trainers on and do an interview in a red cap?” Kyrgios was asked.
The reply was typically Kyrgios.
“Because I do what I want,” he responded, before being pressed on whether or not he thought he was above the rules.
“No. I’m not above the rules. I just like wearing my Jordans.”
The line of questioning continued despite a moderator’s attempted intervention, when Kyrgios was quick to correct the journalist that he hadn’t ‘moaned’ about controversy.
“I haven’t moaned. I love it,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s just more attention for me. What’s that saying? Any publicity is good publicity, right?
“Keep doing you then champion,” he said to the question asker before moving on.
Kyrgios will get a day off before facing Chile’s Cristian Garin for a spot in the final four.