Nick Kyrgios posts cryptic Instagram story featuring number 74 and a padlock as he cops huge fine

Nick Kyrgios posts cryptic Instagram story featuring the number 74 and a padlock to remember family tragedy that’s motivating him at Wimbledon – as he cops MASSIVE fine for spitting scandal

  • Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios, 27, has uploaded a heartfelt post to Instagram 
  • Was a moving tribute to Kyrgios’ grandmother Julianah Foster, who died in 2014
  • At Wimbledon on Thursday, Kyrgios hammered Filip Krajinovic in straight sets
  • Next faces Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday for a spot in the fourth round

Nick Kyrgios has posted a cryptic Instagram story with the number 74 and a padlock in a heartfelt tribute to his late grandmother Julianah Foster.

She died in 2014 – aged 74 – and Kyrgios, 27, sports a tattoo on his middle figure as a permanent reminder of the lady who was a ‘massive part of his life’.

When she passed, a raw Kyrgios had been on a giant-killing run at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-finals.

In the fourth round, he stunned then world number one Rafael Nadal – but not saying goodbye to his beloved grandmother is a regret Kyrgios will always bear.

‘The week she passed away, I was supposed to go see her with Mum but I was pretty busy at home,’ Kyrgios said in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in 2015.

‘I didn’t get to see her as much as I would have liked in the end. But I’m sure I could have just got a day off to see her. That’s what will live with me.’

Nick Kyrgios has posted a cryptic Instagram story with the number 74 and a padlock - a heartfelt tribute to his late grandmother Julianah Foster

Nick Kyrgios has posted a cryptic Instagram story with the number 74 and a padlock – a heartfelt tribute to his late grandmother Julianah Foster

Kyrgios' grandmother died in 2014 - aged 74 - and Kyrgios, 27, sports a tattoo on his middle figure as a permanent reminder of the lady who was a 'massive part of his life (pictured, in action at Wimbledon on Thursday)

Kyrgios’ grandmother died in 2014 – aged 74 – and Kyrgios, 27, sports a tattoo on his middle figure as a permanent reminder of the lady who was a ‘massive part of his life (pictured, in action at Wimbledon on Thursday)

Kyrgios added that Julianah was a ‘massive part of his life’ and the ink reflects the close bond they shared. 

The 27-year-old has mixed great form with scandalous behaviour at Wimbledon this year, kicking off a storm of controversy when he spat in the direction of fans during his first-round match against Paul Jubb.

He’s been fined $US10,000 ($14,520) for unsportsmanlike conduct – easily the biggest penalty of the 14 players who’ve been punished at the tournament so far this year.

On Thursday, Kyrgios cruised into the third round after thrashing 26th seed Filip Krajinovic.

The Canberran required just 85 minutes on court, blitzing his Serbian opponent in straight sets.

The performance was in stark contrast to his controversial round one victory.

‘I felt like it was a bit of a statement,’ Kyrgios told the Tennis Channel post-match after outclassing Krajinovic.

‘I’m just really sick of the media right now. They’re just nitpicking all of my matches. So today was about just being locked in. 

‘I joked with them (reporters) that ‘you’ve got nothing to write about today’.’

On Thursday at the All England Club, Kyrgios cruised into the third round after thrashing 26th seed Filip Krajinovic in straight sets

On Thursday at the All England Club, Kyrgios cruised into the third round after thrashing 26th seed Filip Krajinovic in straight sets

He also stated courtside in an interview that his scintillating effort on court showed he is ‘pretty good at tennis.’

In his press conference, Kyrgios added: ‘I just feel like people just don’t give me the respect sometimes because of other things that I do.

‘There was just nothing the media possibly could tell me I did wrong today.

‘I just know that you can’t possibly ask me anything and stir anything up. And I love it because then you can’t write anything.

‘What are you going to say? Nothing today. Dumbfounded, all of you.’

Kyrgios was pushed to the limit in his first round match versus Britain's Paul Jubb (pictured)

Kyrgios was pushed to the limit in his first round match versus Britain’s Paul Jubb (pictured) 

On Friday it emerged Wimbledon officials have issued Kyrgios a fine of $14,400 after he admitted to spitting in the direction of ‘disrespectful’ spectators who had been trying to goad him when he was playing Jubb.

Kyrgios next faces fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday night (AEST) for a spot in the fourth round.

The Aussie also won’t play doubles with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis, as Kyrgios wasn’t interested in best of five set matches.

‘I think it’s the stupidest thing ever, to be brutally honest,’ he said. ‘I’m a singles player. My priority has always been singles.’

source: dailymail.co.uk