World No. 40 Nick Kyrgios hit back at world No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas after being called a “bully” after Tsitsipas hit a spectator during a third-round match at Wimbledon.
Known for his word of mouth, Kyrgios defeated Tsitsipas 6(2)-7, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7) in the championship on Saturday to enter the round of 16. Tsitsipas lost his temper along with the match after being caught up in Kyrgios’ antics, saying: “Yeah, it’s constant bullying, that’s what he does.
“He bullies opponents. He was probably a bully in school himself. I don’t like bullies. I don’t like people who put other people down. He also has some good traits in his character. But he has that too. He has a very bad side to him, which, if exposed, can really do a lot of damage to those around him,” Tsitsipas said in a post-match press conference.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nick Kyrgios: #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ySHotqt9fI
— Wimbledon (@wimbledon) 2 July 2022
Kyrgios, who was fined USD 10,000 for spitting at a fan during his first-round match, responded that Tsitsipas hit a ball close to a spectator’s head after losing the second set.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure how I bullied him. He was the one to hit the ball at me, he was the one who hit a spectator, he was the one who made it out of the stadium,” Kyrgios said Told. “I didn’t do anything to Stefanos today that was disrespectful. I wasn’t going to drill him with balls. To come here and say I bullied him, he’s just soft.
“We’re not cut from the same clothes. I go up against people who are true competitors. I have many friends in the locker room, just to let you know. I’m actually one of the most likable guys . I’m set. He doesn’t like it. Let’s keep it there.”
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas apologized for losing control and said it was disappointing that the umpires did not crack down on Kyrgios. Tsitsipas also admitted that he tried to smash Kyrgios in the third set.
“I was aiming for my opponent’s body, but I missed a lot,” Tsitsipas said. I am not used to playing like this. But I can’t sit there and act like a robot and act like someone who is completely cold and ignorant. Because you’re doing your job there, and you have noise coming from the other side of the court for no absolute reason.”
Kyrgios said Tsitsipas should be more concerned with his losing record against him. Kyrgios recently defeated Tsitsipas in Halle. “I would be very upset if I lost to someone for two weeks in a row. Maybe he should figure out how to beat me twice more first,” he said.