Nick Kyrgios snaps back after being branded “evil” and “a bully” by Stefanos Tsitsipas

The main interview room at Wimbledon was packed for late night press conferences that threatened to deliver so much – and we were not disappointed as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios traded bitter verbal blows.
After an epic Wimbledon round clash on Court No.1 ended with a 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7) victory for Kyrgios, a match laced with tense exchanges between the two players was always likely to throw up some feisty post-match comments.
Yet what was served up as the Greek player entered the media room first took the breath away, as he branded Kyrgios “evil” and “a bully” in explosive comments that drew murmurs from all present.
Tsitsipas went further as he called for tennis players to unite in a bid to halt Kyrgios’ behaviour, in comments that were always likely to draw a response from the bullish Aussie.
“I wish we could all come together and put a rule in place,” declared the 23-year-old.
“I don’t know. Something about talking. Why would you be talking while you’re playing? It makes no sense. You are out there to do your job. Tennis is the most important thing that we are doing out there.
“Every single point that I played today I feel like there was something going on on the other side of the net.
“I’m not trying to be distracted by that, because I know it might be intentional. And that’s his way of manipulating the opponent and making you feel distracted, in a way.
“There is no other player that does this. There is no other player that is so upset and frustrated all the time with something. It triggers it so easy and so fast.
“I really hope all us players can come up with something and make this a cleaner version of our sport, have this kind of behaviour not accepted, not allowed, not tolerated, and move on better.”
Tsitsipas, who shared a frosty handshake with his bitter rival at the end, added: “It’s constant bullying, that’s what he does. He bullies the opponents.
“He was probably a bully at school himself. I don’t like bullies. I don’t like people that put other people down.
“He has some good traits in his character, as well. But he also has a very evil side to him, which if it’s exposed, it can really do a lot of harm and bad to the people around him.
“The handshake part, ‘well deserved, well done for the great match’, for sure, I need to congratulate my opponent. It’s a thing I have been doing my entire life.
Box office.@NickKyrgios defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/pEz7tltCOd
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 2, 2022
“I have never finished the match and not given my hand to the opponent simply because of his performance. But attitude-wise, if there was a handshake for that, I would definitely be walking away from it, and that’s how it is. It’s not acceptable in any way.”
Naturally, those comments were relayed to Kyrgios he didn’t hold back with a repost that was only be expected from an Aussie who has never held back in his comments.
Unrepentant as ever, he said: “I’m not sure how I bullied him. He was the one hitting balls at me, he was the one that hit a spectator, he was the one that smacked it out of the stadium.
“I just don’t understand what I did. Like I did nothing towards him. I didn’t think I was aggressive towards him.
“I wasn’t hitting balls at his face. I don’t know. I didn’t feel like there was any anger.
“I had no anger towards Stef today on the match. I don’t know where it’s coming from, to be honest.
“If he’s affected by that today, then that’s what’s holding him back. I just think it’s soft.”
The Kyrgios roadshow rolls on at Wimbledon and whether you love or loath him, you will certainly be watching when he plays his next match on Monday.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Doubts grow over Nick Kyrgios’ future as his injuries are ‘the worst you can get in tennis’
“I think these injuries, the knee, wrist, they’re two of the worst you can get in tennis.”
-
Tennis News
Why tennis will never be plunged into the incendiary sexism storm Joey Barton has ignited in football
Ex-footballer Barton sparked a sexism storm by claiming female pundits should not work on men’s matches – tennis has a different mindset.
-
Tennis News
Who is Hannah Klugman? Meet the British teenager who has just claimed a breakthrough win
Hannah Klugman defeated American Tyra Grant in the Orange Bowl final and here is her story.
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu told to ‘work at things yourself’ as former Wimbledon champion slams ‘ridiculous’ decision
“To fire a coach after she had just won the US Open was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic concedes Roger Federer ‘was the far better player in every aspect’ in THAT final
Novak Djokovic on THAT Wimbledon final against Roger Federer.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic opens up about Rafael Nadal ‘p*****g me off’, feeling intimidated and ‘calming the storm’
Fascinating insight from Novak Djokovic about his rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe’s sneaker argument with Travis Scott revealed by leaked zoom call
Travis Scott and John McEnroe got into on a zoom call.
-
WTA Tour
Orange Bowl sees British teen Hannah Klugman make history
Hannah Klugman won the coveted Orange Bowl championship in Florida, solidifying her place among the sport’s most promising future prospects.
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Roger Federer makes dashing appearance in Moet and Chandon teaser
Roger Federer features in ‘The iconic moments with Moët & Chandon’.
-
ATP Tour
The 6 players who won their first ATP title in 2023, featuring Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils
All six maiden titlists were unseeded and competing in their first ATP final.