Nick Kyrgios, a declared opponent of the world’s clay courts, feels at home on grass. The world number 40. rushes – if you will – on velvet paws from success to success. The 27-year-old Australian is in the round of 16 (today against Brandon Nakashima/USA) in the Wimbledon classic, which is completely dedicated to tradition and etiquette. Mr. Kyrgios’ aesthetic and no-frills tennis suits this swanky club in south-west London quite well, but his demeanor does not at all.
Kyrgios doesn’t exactly embody the fine English way, the little devil in him is on permanent alert. When “Quick Nick” (his punches come with unbelievable force) gets out of his skin, there’s no stopping him. Neither on the training ground nor at the oldest Grand Slam tournament in the world.
Kyrgios drew the grudge of Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost the (verbal) exchange of blows in the third round 7: 6 (2), 4: 6, 3: 6, 6: 7 (7). The number five in the world was considered one of Kyrgios’ few friends on the ATP tour. The two have even been doubles partners in the past.
“Are you stupid?”
After a war of words, there is now a break in transmission. The protagonists definitely didn’t gain any sympathy points with their boorish behavior. They had behaved like cranky, unrepentant teenagers on Court 1. “He was probably a bully at school. I don’t like people who put other people down,” emphasized Tsitsipas. Kyrgios’ return was not long in coming. “He was the one who threw balls at me. Aside from my back and forth with the referee, I didn’t disrespect Stefanos.”
Kyrgios challenged referee Damien Dumusois to whom he casually asked “Are you stupid?” threw at the head, Tsitsipas’ disqualification after he shot a ball into the audience in anger. “That was really bad of me,” admitted the 23-year-old ex-world champion.
World number one Iga Swiatek showed how to lose with decency when she greeted her conqueror Alize Cornet with a smile during the “handshake” after the 4:6, 2:6 defeat. The defeated Pole had previously won 37 matches in a row. Only Steffi Graf (66 wins in 1989/90) remained undefeated longer. (Alex)
Source: Nachrichten
