OPINION | Nick Kyrgios commanding attention at Wimbledon for all the right and wrong reasons

Nick Kyrgios winning Wimbledon would be a gambler's dream and a purist's nightmare, writes Nicolette Lategan.

The curious case of Kyrgios. The timing of an assault charge emanating from Down Under at the zenith of Kyrgios fever over at the lush lawns of Wimbledon is worthy of conspiracy contemplation.

Here's a naughty thought: Imagine the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton handing the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy to an assault-charged champion... it's almost as bad as the royal having to hand it to a Russian. Or is it? Yes, a very naughty thought. As the BBC commentators would say... 'that's a whole other story,' before briskly moving on.

The spice just keeps coming at this year's lawn tennis Grand Slam when it comes to Nick Kyrgios. He divides the wheat from the chavs, the pious from the unplayable, the bourgeoisie from the baying mob.

It's been a funny old year in tennis, the purest of sports - from an uncomfortable absence of world number ones at Grand Slams in "No-vax" Djokovic, then Daniil Medvedev, a Russian.

To a pointless Wimbledon as far as rankings go. Pointless indeed, with this year's watered down men's draw, the strawberries and cream curdling to the twee serenade of Sir Cliff Richard at the centenary celebration on Sunday. The great champions spanning a hundred years awkwardly shifted their weight from one foot to another. Crickets.

Ah, tradition. The gilded Roger Federer's visit couldn't have come at a better time on Middle Sunday to set our hair straight so soon after Wimbledon descended into existential crisis on Saturday. You know, that clash of the creche tantrums on Court One.

Back to Kyrgios, a triumph for the tournament this year which has been somewhat rudderless. Federerless, if you will. The second