Nick Kyrgios‘ intense Wimbledon first-round clash with British wildcard Paul Jubb ended on an unpleasant note with the Australian spitting in the direction of a spectator who he claimed had verbally abused him.

In the three hour-long five-setter, Kyrgios beat Jubb 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), bagging 30 aces and 67 winners, and showing what he’s capable of.

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However, the occasion was marred by alleged abuse, and the 27-year-old demanded, unsuccessfully, that a spectator be removed from the audience even as early as the first set. After securing the victory, the Australian spit in the direction of the spectator.

Later, at a news conference, the 27-year-old hit out at the abuse he said he receives on a daily basis, and told reporters, “I’ve been dealing with hate and negativity for a long time, so I don’t feel like I owed that person anything. Like, he literally came to the match to literally just not even support anyone, really. It was more just to stir up and disrespect. That’s fine. But if I give it back to you, then that’s just how it is.”

Asked about whether he deliberate spat in the spectator’s direction, Kyrgios said, “Yes. I would not be doing that to someone who was supporting me.”

“Just pure disrespect, just anything. Have you ever gone to a supermarket and just started berating someone scanning the groceries? No. So why do they do it when I’m at Wimbledon? Why is that?,” Kyrgios added.

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During his fiery press conference on Monday, the 40th ranked player himself was accused of lacking respect for the line judges after he was overheard saying, “90 year olds can’t see the ball.”

“No, I said most of the umpires are older, and I just don’t think that’s ideal when you’re playing a sport of such small margins,” Kyrgios said, responding to the charges.

“Factually, people that are younger have better eyesight. When you’re playing at a sport for hundreds and thousands of dollars, do you not think that we should have people that are really ready to call the ball in or out? I hit a ball in, the old man called it out, it was in. So arguably if the guy was 40, he may not have called that out,” the Australian explained.

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Kyrgios also called a line judge a “snitch with no fans,” and defended himself, saying, “I didn’t do anything and she went to the umpire and told her something that I didn’t say.”

The 27-year-old had earlier alleged that he was racially abused during his semi-final clash against Andy Murray at the Stuttgart Open, which concluded just weeks before Wimbledon.