Kyrgios defeated Tsitsipas in four sets – 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7) – in a controversial and action-packed match on track 1, but the pair continued the do after the match. press conferences.
Tsitsipas had been frustrated by Kyrgios’ “constant harassment” from the other side of the net and had tried to hit his opponent with a shot during the encounter fire.
Kyrgios, who was vocal all the time, was warned to swear by the referee and was furious when Tsitsipas was not disqualified for throwing a ball into the crowd out of frustration.
“Yes, it’s constant harassment, that’s what he does. He harasses opponents. He was probably a bully himself at school. I don’t like bullies,” Tsitsipas told reporters after the match.
“I don’t like people who depress others. He also has some good traits in his character. But he also has a very bad side, which if exposed, can really do a lot of harm and bad to people who surrounded “.
Kyrgios, who has already caused headlines at Wimbledon for both his outbursts and daring shots, laughed at his opponents ’comments, calling them“ soft ”.
He had previously said he had great respect for the Greek when he was interviewed on the court immediately after the match.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how I harassed him. He was the one who hit me balls, he was the one who hit a spectator, he was the one who got him out of the stadium.” say Kyrgios to reporters after moving on to the round of 16.
“Today I didn’t do anything with Stefanos that was disrespectful. I wasn’t punching him with balls. Coming here and saying I intimidated him, it’s soft. We’re not cut from the same cloth. I faced guys who are. Real competitors.” .
“I have a lot of friends in the locker room, just to let you know. In fact I’m one of the ones I liked the most. I’m ready. He doesn’t like it. Let’s put it there.”
Tsitsipas later apologized for firing a ball at the crowd and admitted he had tried to hit Kyrgios with a shot to the body.
“I’m not used to playing that way,” he said. “But I can’t sit there, act like a robot and act like someone completely cold and ignorant.
“Because you’re there doing your job and you have noise coming from the other side of the track for no absolute reason.
“Every point I played today I feel like there was something on the other side of the net.
“That’s their way of manipulating the opponent and making you feel distracted, somehow. There’s no other player doing that. I really hope all players can invent something and make this one more version. net of our sport, to have this. kind of behavior not accepted, not allowed, not tolerated “.
Kyrgios, who will play American Brandon Nakashima in the next round, said Tsitsipas should be more concerned with finding a way to beat him.
“I would be very upset if I lost to someone two weeks in a row. Maybe I should first figure out how to win me a couple more times,” the Australian added.