Nick Kyrgios’ dad unimpressed by Wimbledon double standards while his brother defends ‘trash talk’
Nick Kyrgios’ father Giorgos believes his son “would have been defaulted” if he was the one smashing a ball into the stands during his third-round Wimbledon clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Saturday evening’s match between Kyrgios and Tsitsipas was a bad-tempered affair with the former constantly swearing and shouting at officials while the latter hit a ball into the crowd after he got frustrated by an underarm serve.
Kyrgios immediately called for the Greek to be disqualified as it was similar to when Novak Djokovic was thrown out of the US Open in 2020 after he accidentally hit a line judge when he tried to return a ball to a ball kid.
He had a long discussion with the chair umpire and the supervisor, but Tsitsipas was allowed to finish the match with the Australian going on to win four sets. Both players were fined after the match, but the issue of double standards irked Giorgos.
Comment – Kyrgios vs Tsitsipas was X-rated drama that took tennis to a new audience
“It was about settling in for him, the nerves, playing against a tough opponent, which Stefanos is. He was frustrated, he should have broken him a couple of times,” hetold the BBC Tennis podcast.
When asked if Tsitsipas should have been defaulted he replied: “My son would have been defaulted. You’ve got to draw the line for everybody. I hate to see it for anyone. I feel sorry for all of them – the pressure is so much.”
Kyrgios’ brother Christos took to social media to defend the world No 40 as he first retweeted a meme with Nick turned into a WWF character and Tsitsipas at his mercy.
Highlights from Nick Kyrgios defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas @NickKyrgios pic.twitter.com/BGMbSYwhmR
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 2, 2022
With Tsitsipas calling Kyrgios a “bully” during the post-match press conference, Christos later replied to several tweets from journalists and tennis Twitter accounts saying “trash talk is common”.
Lol in competition trash talk is bullying? Man… watch some football, basketball or literally any other sport in the world. Trash talk is common.
— Christos Kyrgios (@xkyrgios) July 2, 2022
“Lol in competition trash talk is bullying? Man… watch some football, basketball or literally any other sport in the world. Trash talk is common,” he wrote.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”