Craig Gabriel has stepped in to defend Nick Kyrgios after a controversial run-in with rival Stefanos Tsitsipas and the chair umpire during his blockbuster Wimbledon third round clash.

Kyrgios demanded Tsitsipas be defaulted after recklessly hitting a ball into the stands and almost striking a female spectator and engaged in a running battle with the chair umpire throughout the match.

“I do not agree with a lot of his antics or things that he might do on the court but very often, when he starts questioning things, he’s got a point,” Gabriel told Spencer Howson, filling in for Neil Breen.

“[But] it’s not wrong, in my view, it’s not wrong to question or discuss … between the player and the chair umpire, because they need to be held accountable as well.”

Spencer suggested demanding to see a supervisor was crossing the line.

“I understand what you’re saying on that and I don’t disagree with you,” Gabriel continued. “But he’s not the first one to do that and he’s not going to be the last one to do that.”

Press PLAY below to hear Craig Gabriel’s defence in full

Image: Getty/Simon Stacpoole