Iga Swiatek in the second round of Wimbledon 2022, London, UK
Iga Swiatek in the second round of Wimbledon 2022, London, UK | (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Tennis | Wimbledon 2022 | Day Four Talking Points: Kyrgios hits back at critics, Kvitova constructs her perfect player

By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon

  • Nick Kyrgios hit back at criticism as he set up a third round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas
  • Petra Kvitova constructed her perfect tennis player after reaching the last 32 where she faces Paula Badosa
  • Iga Swiatek draws inspiration from Ash Barty after surviving her second round match.
LONDON, ENGLAND – Nick Kyrgios hit back at criticism after his straight sets win over Filip Krajinovic while Petra Kvitova constructed her perfect tennis player after reaching the third round.

 

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Kyrgios hits back at critics after setting up Tsitsipas clash

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Our day four talking points start with the ever-controversial Nick Kyrgios who made the headlines after his five set epic over Paul Jubb on Tuesday. Kyrgios was seen moaning, spitting towards the direction of the crowd and behaving in the Australian’s usual way as he edges to victory.

However his second round match was a much different story as he cruised past Queen’s club finalist Filip Krajinovic in straight sets as he produced sensational tennis to crush the Serb. After the match Kyrgios said he wanted to prove a point to the media and everyone else that he is not to be underestimated:

“I guess just from a personal performance standpoint, my performance in my first round was just not where I wanted to be, especially with the way I’ve been playing and the way I’ve been training, the hard work I’ve been doing. I was pretty disappointed in my performance in the first round,” Kyrgios admitted.

“Then obviously the media’s disrespect and just everything, it was just kind of a reminder to put you all back in your place from the performance today. He made finals at Queen’s, top 30 in the world, seeded. It’s a gentle reminder.

“But it’s just like simply just me eating sushi here the other day, the disrespect, the things I got from that on social media. Oh, he’s so rude. He has no manners. I literally played four hours and I needed food. Has anyone in this room played four hours of tennis in their life in a row? No.

“I just really wanted to go out there today and just remind everyone that I’m able to play some really good tennis without any distractions. The crowd enjoyed it today. It was just business-like. That’s it.”

Kyrgios’ tirade didn’t stop there as he was asked about the investigation that has resulted in a $10,000 fine after spitting towards a member of the crowd. The Australian had a pretty heated conversation with a member of the Australian media about the incident which he says he doesn’t really care about:

“Why would you be asking me a question about two days ago? Is it because you have no story for today? But I played Filip Krajinovic today. Do you not want to know how I played today? Then why don’t you ask me a question about it?

“Are you investigating it personally? So why do you care? I couldn’t care less if there is an investigation about me doing that, to be brutally honest with you. I know what I bring to the sport. One of the most important people in the sport. Do you want to speak about that? Nothing to investigate there because it’s just factual.”

As Kyrgios continues to make headlines off the court, the Australian also continues to make headlines on the court as he produced an incredible performance to set up a third round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Tsitsipas won his match against another Australian Jordan Thompson in straight sets to confirm the meeting which is a rematch of their match in Halle a couple of weeks ago which Kyrgios won. In his press conference Tsitsipas was asked about if there’s anything he’s going to change in this meeting:

“You just go out on the court hoping to have a good match, hoping to be able to get balls back, be precise with your shot selection,” Tsitsipas said.

“That comes with good preparation. The rest will hopefully follow if you’re able to approach that with the right mindset. Let’s just say it’s a different day, it’s a different match.”

Kyrgios leads the overall head-to-head meeting 3-1 heading into Saturday’s third round clash.

 

 

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Kvitova names perfect tennis player after victory

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Moving onto the Women’s side and former champion Petra Kvitova was in action today as she took on Romanian Ana Bogdan. The Czech Republican was seemingly cruising to victory leading 6-1 5-2. However Kvitova couldn’t maintain her high level of aggressive tennis and allowed Bogdan back into the match with the second set going to a tiebreak. Kvitova eventually won the tiebreak 7-5 to seal a place in the third round.

After the match the Eastbourne champion spoke about the match itself and the proposition of playing Paula Badosa in the third round on Saturday:

“I think it was great match from the beginning until 5-1, 5-2,” Kvitova said in her press conference.

“Suddenly I felt, like, so exhausted kind of from the games I had. I don’t know, it was just tough to describe. I got a little bit tighter and she just went for it a little bit more. She didn’t miss. It was really tough to close it out. I really thought that probably would be third set that I didn’t even make it for the tiebreak.

“In the end I did. I don’t know how. Probably my serve helped me for the set point over there. Yeah, I made it. I’m still very exhausted. Yeah, I’m just glad that it’s done, for sure.

“She tries to play aggressively. But I think still that she likes more hard court and clay than the grass. Hopefully that could be my advantage a little bit. But it will be great match, for sure. I’m really looking forward to play her.”

Kvitova was also asked to construct her perfect tennis player and went with Serena Williamsserve, return and mental toughness, her own forehand, Li Na’s backhand, Martina Navratilova’s volley and Agnieszka Radwanska’s movement and anticipation.

As mentioned Kvitova will play Badosa in the next round after the Spaniard defeated another Romanian in the form of Irina Bara 6-3 6-2. A dominant display from Badosa as she made the last 32 for a second year in a row and after the match gave her thoughts on playing Kvitova next:

“She’s with confidence, as well, but I think I have the game that I could do a tough match against her. Of course I think I will have my opportunities there. Yeah, let’s see. I will give everything on court. I will fight. I will compete. Let’s see how it goes.”

 

Swiatek finds inspiration from Barty

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Finally there was a tough test for world number one Iga Swiatek as she just about made it 37 consecutive wins with a 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory over lucky loser Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove. After the match Swiatek explained how much last year’s Wimbledon champion Ash Barty has inspired her and how much contact she has with her:

“She congratulated me a couple of times. That’s pretty nice,” the current world number one said of the former world number one.

“Ash is that kind of person that I feel like if I would have some kind of issue or problem, I can always ask her. That’s pretty nice. She’s, like, that kind of player who has been through every experience in her career. So it’s nice. Yeah, for sure she’s a huge inspiration for me. I said that, like, from the beginning of the season that her game always motivated me to get better and kind of have the same amount of variety and options on court as she does.”

Swiatek will now play Alize Cornet in the third round on Saturday.

 

 

 

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