Kyrgios beat Tsitsipas in four sets – 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7) – in an action-packed and contentious match at Court One, but the duo continued to feud in the post-match. press conferences
Tsitsipas was frustrated by the “continuous bullying” by Kyrgios from the other side of the net and tried to hit his opponent with a shot during the fiery confrontation.
Kyrgios, who has been outspoken throughout, was warned for his oath by the referee and angry when Tsitsipas was not disqualified for firing a ball into the crowd out of frustration.
“Yes, he’s constant bullying, that’s what he does. He bullies opponents. Maybe he was a bully at school himself. I don’t like bullies,” Tsitsipas told reporters after the match.
“I don’t like people who degrade others. He has some good qualities in his personality as well. But he also has a very evil side to him, which if revealed, can cause a lot of harm and bad to the people around him.”
Kyrgios, who made headlines at Wimbledon for his dashing and daring shots, mocked his opponents’ comments as “soft”.
He had previously said that he had a lot of respect for the Greek player when questioned in court immediately after the match.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure how to intimidate me on him. He was the one who hit me with the balls, he was the one who hit the spectator, and he was the one who hit it off the field,” Kyrgios told reporters after qualifying for the Round of 16.
“I didn’t do anything about Stefanos today that wasn’t disrespectful. I wasn’t digging him with balls. Coming here and saying I scared him, that’s just soft. We’re not cut from the same fabric. I’m facing guys who are the real competitors.”
“I have many friends in the locker room, just to let you know. I’m actually one of the most likable. I’m ready for it. It’s unloved. Let’s just put that out there.”
Tsitsipas later apologized for shooting a ball into the crowd and admitted trying to shoot Kyrgios.
“I’m not used to playing this way,” he said. “But I can’t just sit there, act like a robot and act like a totally cold, ignorant person.
“Because you’re doing your job outside, and you have noise coming from the other side of the stadium for no absolute reason.
“Every point I played today I feel like there is something going on on the other side of the grid.
“That’s his way of manipulating the opponent and making you feel distracted, in a way. No other player does this. I really hope all the players can innovate something and make this a cleaner version of our sport, get this kind of behavior is not acceptable, not allowed, not allowed. with it “.
Kyrgios, who will play American Brandon Nakashima in the next round, said Tsitsipas should be more concerned about finding a way to beat him.
“I would be very upset if I lost to someone two weeks in a row. Maybe he should figure out how to beat me two more times first,” the Australian added.
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