London: So obvious was the answer to one American journalist's enquiry about whom he considers the Wimbledon title favourite that Nick Kyrgios was not inclined to engage. "Probably Djokovic," he said. "It's a silly question. No more questions for you, bro."

The next, from elsewhere, brought a more expansive response. In a pre-tournament chat moved by the weight of interview requests from the informal balcony where the remaining eight Australian singles participants had held court over two days, Kyrgios was asked whether he rates himself a championship contender yet, or if that talk is premature.

"I mean, I made quarterfinals two years ago. I feel as if that run, I didn't really expect anything at all. But I feel confident in my game. I feel like I'm getting better," said the world No.18 and 15th seed, whose drawcard rating is well into singles figures.

"But there's so many players at the moment that can make deep runs. (David) Goffin, (Dominic) Thiem. Especially on grass as well, there's so many guys that can serve big, play big. If the stars align, they can do well.

"I feel there are a lot of title contenders. Say Djokovic loses in the fourth round – I don't know, he was down two sets to love against (Kevin) Anderson last year. If something like that happens, there's plenty of people who can have their eye on the trophy this year."

Including Kyrgios, even if the draw is a challenging one for the 21-year-old whose grasscourt preparation has consisted of a first round loss to Milos Raonic at Queen's Club and a couple of exhibition matches at the wonderfully named 'Boodles' at picturesque Stoke Park.

First up, on Tuesday, is the Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, who will transform from casual mentor to annoying opponent in the pair's first match since their initial meeting at the French Open three years ago. The first main draw win for the 18-year-old Kyrgios, then a last-gasp wildcard, was an exhilarating sign of things to come.

"To play Stepanek obviously is pretty tough," he said. "I'm really good mates with him as well. To be honest, he was offering to help me a little bit, he's getting towards the end of his career. He's still playing some great tennis. I know it's going to be very tough.

"I feel like grass is his best surface. Yeah, I mean, if I get through that, Dustin Brown (is) in that section as well. For me, they're just fun matches. I'm not looking too far ahead. I know the Kyrgios‑Murray fourth round is, like, pretty exciting, but I've got some tough matches ahead."

What type of advice is the wily Stepanek offering? "Not so much coaching. Yeah, he was just helping me a little bit. So it's just, like, I'm playing him now, it's pretty crazy."

You want crazy? Try the 2014 scenario when the fearless, outrageously-talented kid from Canberra toppled world No.1 Rafael Nadal on centre court on his Wimbledon debut. Now, two years on, following a slightly controversial fourth-round appearance last year, the feeling is one of comfort. This is grass, and he is Australian, after all.

"This is definitely one of my favourite times of year, coming here," Kyrgios said. "I love how all the players sort of stay in houses around Wimbledon village. I love the set-up. I can bring my family over, have that home sort of feeling. Around the courts, I feel so comfortable here. I've made a couple deep runs in this event. I feel that grass is a surface where most of the Australians can do fairly well. I feel I can do fairly well, as well.

"I think in Australia we are fortunate enough to have tournaments on grass for younger kids. Fundamentals, serving big, trying to play aggressive, I think that carries through."

Kyrgios was also asked about England's rugby dominance of Australia, to which he replied nonchalantly that he had been playing computer games.As to what reaction he had received from home to his decision to skip the Rio Olympics, there has apparently been very little. "I haven't really been focusing on it at all to be honest. It's actually been pretty good. Not too many people have been in my ear about it. So that's been good."

The mood soured somewhat at the end, with some gratuitous questions about his behaviour here last year and whether or not he had been warned about his on-court demeanour on this visit. Not answering that one. And fair enough. "I thought last year I played all right. I made fourth round. Lost to (Richard) Gasquet. He made the semi-finals. (I) lost 7‑6 in the fourth set after four hours. Not too bad."

But back to the behaviour. If we must. Wish we hadn't. "Competing," Kyrgios calls it. And, typically, he called it as it is. Bro.