Nick Kyrgios Defends Fellow Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas After US Open Backlash

Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and long-time apical 10 player, suffered a second-round exit successful New York, losing successful 5 sets to World No. 56 Daniel Altmaier. Frustration boiled implicit erstwhile Tsitsipas clashed with the German implicit his usage of the underarm serve, but Altmaier stayed composed, leaving Tsitsipas to look dense criticism.

Not agelong after, a tennis leafage mocked Tsitsipas connected Instagram, sarcastically noting that “the haters” were close astir him ne'er winning a Grand Slam. Kyrgios—who has had his ain stock of controversies and adjacent feuded with Tsitsipas successful the past—jumped to the Greek’s defence successful the comments section.

“Guys made implicit 30 mill USD. Haters volition proceed to hatred whilst sitting with their hands successful their pants,” Kyrgios wrote, reminding fans that Tsitsipas has already had a lucrative and palmy career, adjacent without a Major title.

A Rivalry Turned Respect

The amusement of enactment was unexpected fixed the pair’s fiery history. Their 2022 Wimbledon clash was 1 of the astir talked-about matches of that season, filled with tense moments and accusations. After losing to Kyrgios, Tsitsipas labeled him a “bully,” claiming his antics crossed the line.

The fallout extended beyond Wimbledon, with Tsitsipas aboriginal criticising Kyrgios’ benignant successful Netflix’s Break Point—remarks that sparked accusations of racism erstwhile helium described Kyrgios’ attack arsenic “uneducated” and linked it to an “NBA hoops attitude.”

Tsitsipas aboriginal issued a clarification connected societal media, insisting his comments had been misinterpreted and expressing regret if they caused offense. Kyrgios accepted the explanation, cooling tensions betwixt the two.

Now, with Kyrgios openly defending Tsitsipas against online trolls, it appears determination is simply a newfound respect betwixt the rivals—proving that adjacent successful tennis’ fiercest rivalries, communal knowing tin emerge.

Beyond tennis, some men stock a communal enslaved done their Greek roots. Stefanos Tsitsipas was calved and raised successful Athens and proudly represents Greece connected the planetary stage. Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile, though calved successful Australia, comes from a Greek begetter and has often spoken astir his Hellenic background.

Their Greek practice has often been highlighted by fans, who spot them arsenic 2 of the astir talented players connected to Greece successful modern tennis. Kyrgios’ defence of Tsitsipas, therefore, carried an other consciousness of solidarity—not conscionable arsenic rivals connected court, but arsenic players with shared taste identity.

Read astir Tsitsipas Family Crest