How Nick Kyrgios infuriated Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon

Kieran Francis

How Nick Kyrgios infuriated Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon image

World No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed how Nick Kyrgios enraged him during their infamous third-round match at Wimbledon in 2022.

The Greek won the first set before Kyrgios got creative with his tactics to win the match in four sets, with the Australian only being stopped by Novak Djokovic in the final.

During the heated contest, Kyrgios asked the umpire to default Tsitsipas for hitting a ball into the crowd, and even requested the presence of the match referee.

MORE: Nick Kyrgios entered psychiatric ward after Wimbledon 2019 defeat: 'I was genuinely contemplating suicide'

Kyrgios also had several injury issues, with the Australian laying on court for over a minute after slipping and getting treatment regularly on his serving shoulder.

This was despite Kyrgios' serving speeds being at the same level he had maintained throughout the tournament.

Tsitsipas also revealed Kyrgios kept putting his towel in the Greek's box in a bid to frustrate his opponent.

MORE: Will Nick Kyrgios play at Wimbledon? Australian tennis star's status ahead of 2023 tournament

The Australian Open finalist accused Kyrgios of being 'uneducated' and showing 'zero respect' at the All-England Club.

"He has brought that NBA basketball attitude to tennis - I would describe it as an uneducated approach of playing tennis," Tsitsipas said on upcoming episodes of Netflix's Break Point.

"But you know tennis is a gentleman’s sport, it’s all about respect. We are not playing basketball. I feel he was trying to destroy my rhythm. He kept putting his towel in my box.

"There was zero respect coming out of my opponent that day. He kept pressing my buttons non-stop – and of course I got annoyed. He just loves attention. And if he gets none of that, it is complete destruction."

Kyrgios vs Tsitsipas
Getty Images

MORE: Nick Kyrgios: Next match, current ranking

Kyrgios has been in the headlines consistently this week as he made his return to tennis from injury after 10 months without a competitive match.

The Australian revealed on Break Point he had self-harmed previously and considered suicide following a defeat at Wimbledon in 2019.

Kyrgios struggled in his first match since last year's US Open quarter-final, losing in straight sets to China's Wubing Yu at the Stuttgart Open.

With grass his preferred surface, Kyrgios will be hoping to peak by the time Wimbledon commences on July 3.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.