Nick Kyrgios is keeping his name in the headlines despite being eliminated from play at Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old Australia's on-court antics have perturbed many in his home country and around the world, and Kyrgios admits the criticism has been hard to stomach.
"I've read a whole lot. Comments like 'he shouldn't be representing Australia', 'he's a disgrace'. It's tough to read. I'm human," Kyrgios said, according to BBC, adding that he's "shocked on how people have responded and reacted and what they've said.
"I'm really shocked."
The rising star avoided a heavy fine following his fourth-round loss against Richard Gasquet after being accused of not trying during the second set of the match. A player charged with not giving their best effort on the court can be fined $20,000.
He was, however, fined $2,000 for an audible obscenity in the Gasquet match and was fined an additional $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for bouncing his racket during his third-round win over Milos Raonic.
Kyrgios is not the only young Aussie taking heat, as 26th-ranked Bernard Tomic was suspended from the nation's Davis Cup team after accusing Tennis Australia of abandoning him following surgery last year.
The criticism escalated when swimming legend Dawn Fraser chastised the pair for their childish behavior on Australian television, saying that Kyrgios and Tomic should "go back to where their parents came from." Fraser later apologized for her offensive comments.
Kyrgios, Tomic, and teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis represent a great wave of young talent looking to win Australia's first Grand Slam title since Lleyton Hewitt's win at Wimbledon in 2002.