Stefanos Tsitsipas has been discussing his fierce rivalry with Nick Kyrgios ahead of the Australian Open which starts next week.
The world number seven has been speaking to The Guardian.
So, what has the Greek tennis star had to say about his ongoing battle with Kyrgios? We take a closer look…
What Stefanos Tsitsipas has said about Nick Kyrgios
The two global tennis stars had an extremely heated match at Wimbledon in 2022 as the Australian prevailed and eventually made the final.
On that occasion, the umpire was forced to step in on several occasions as the pair exchanged some verbal exchanges.
Kyrgios did play some amazing tennis at Wimbledon during that year but Tsitsipas will perhaps learn a lot from that episode.
Ahead of the first major of the year – which Kyrgios has been ruled out of – the Athens-born player explains that he doesn’t like something that his foe does on court.
He told The Guardian: “Everything is cool. There’s no tension. He’s just different and I have to respect that. It’s great for the sport.
“What is not cool, though, is when an opponent is trying to disrupt you during the match and doesn’t approach it fair and square.
“He’s talking to the umpire, to people outside of the court, whilst you are trying to serve. You’re not there to talk, you’re there to play.
“When things get twisted it can be frustrating. I think he understands he was wrong and as long as he accepts his mistakes and if we have a fair match against each other that doesn’t include these antics, I am OK to move on.”
Tsitsipas can challenge at Australian Open once again
In our view, it would seem as though Tsitsipas still has a bit of an axe to grind with Kyrgios and the two players are perhaps a clash of personalities.
However, the world number five doesn’t need to let Kyrgios sit in his head rent-free for the next few weeks as hid bids for glory.
Tsitsipas will be hoping to go one better in Melbourne this year after he lost to Novak Djokovic in last year’s final.
On that occasion he was defeated in straight sets, losing 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in a final that could have possibly swung in either direction.
Tsitsipas is still awaiting his first major title and at 25-years-old, he might feel that he’s now ready to step into the winner’s circle.
The winner of the 2019 Tour Finals might be willing to get revenge on Kyrgios at some point in the next few months.
For now, however, that rivalry has to be parked and Tsitsipas must focus on the task at hand at the Australian Open.
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