An insult from Stefanos Tsitsipas has fanned the flames of last season’s feud between the Greek and Aussie NIck Kyrgios.
The war of words between the pair dates to last summer’s Wimbledon third round, when Kyrgios beat his rival and tried to get him DQ’d for sending a ball into the stands in anger.
Both men were later fined for disciplinary actions during the bad-tempered match on grass.
Recent Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas recalled the incident during last week’s Davis Cup play, calling Kyrgios a “clown” who was more interested in controversy than tennis.
It didn’t take long for Kyrgios to fire back on social media – of course:
“Right….. this is the match he hit someone in the crowd….. belted another ball out of the stadium and got taught a lesson in front of another full stadium…..” the Aussie posted.
Tsitsipas characterised Kyrgios – who has won four of their five meetings – as a bully.
“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.”
Kyrgios responded by calling his rival as “soft,” adding: “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.”
