Kyrgios defeated Tsitsipas in four sets — 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7) — in an action-packed, controversial match on Court One, but the two continued their feud in post-match press conferences.
Tsitsipas was frustrated by Kyrgios’ “constant harassment” from the other side of the net and tried to hit his opponent with a shot during the fiery encounter.
Kyrgios, who was vocal throughout, was warned for swearing by the referee and was left furious when Tsitsipas was not disqualified for hurling a ball into the crowd in frustration.
“Yes, it’s constant bullying, that’s what he does. He bullies opponents. He was probably bullied at school himself. I don’t like bullies,” Tsitsipas told reporters after the match.
“I don’t like people who humiliate other people. He also has some good traits in his character. But he also has a very evil side to him that, if exposed, can really do a lot of harm and harm to those around him.”
Kyrgios, who has already made headlines at Wimbledon with both his bursts and audacious shots, laughed off his opponents’ comments, calling them “soft”.
He had previously said he had huge respect for the Greek when interviewed on the court immediately after the match.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure how I harassed him. He was the one who hit me with balls, he was the one who hit a spectator, he was the one who threw him out of the stadium,” Kyrgios told reporters after reached the round of 16.
“I didn’t do anything disrespectful to Stephanos today. I didn’t drill him with balls. To come in here and say I bullied him is putting it mildly. We are not cut from the same cloth. I’m going up against 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 most liked. I’m ready. He is not liked. Let’s just leave it there.”
Tsitsipas later apologized for firing a ball into the crowd and admitted he tried to hit Kyrgios with a body shot.
“I’m not used to playing this way,” he said. “But I can’t just sit there and act like a robot and like someone who is completely cold and ignorant.
“Because you’re out there doing your job, and there’s noise coming from the other side of the court for absolutely no reason.
“Every single point I played today, I felt like something was happening on the other side of the net.
“It’s his way of manipulating the opponent and making you feel distracted, in a sense. There is no other player who does this. I really hope that all of us players can come up with something and make this a cleaner version of our sport, have this kind of behavior that is not accepted, not allowed, not tolerated.”
Kyrgios, who will play American Brandon Nakashima in the next round, said Tsitsipas should worry more about finding a way to beat him.
“I’ll be pretty upset if I lose to somebody two weeks in a row. “Maybe he needs to figure out how to beat me a few more times first,” the Australian added.
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