1 year ago
26
Stefanos Tsitsipas says comments helium made towards Nick Kyrgios astatine Wimbledon successful 2022 person been "misinterpreted" aft they were perceived arsenic racist connected societal media.
Greece's Tsitsipas said the Australian's attack to tennis was "uneducated" aft helium was knocked retired successful a fiery third-round clash.
He besides said Kyrgios brought "that NBA hoops attitude" to tennis.
His remarks were shown successful the caller bid of Netflix's 'Break Point'.
Tsitsipas, the existent satellite fig five, said determination had been "an unfortunate misunderstanding that has a distorted representation of my intentions".
"It has travel to my attraction that immoderate individuals person misinterpreted my comments regarding Nick Kyrgios...insinuating racism wherever nary exists," Tsitsipas, 24, wrote connected Facebook.
"I privation to stress that I harbour nary prejudice towards anyone based connected their background, ethnicity, oregon interests. I profoundly regret if my words were misinterpreted oregon caused offence, arsenic that was ne'er my intention."
He added: "My erstwhile remarks regarding Nick Kyrgios were not meant to undermine his quality oregon abilities. Instead, I simply intended to explicit my position connected definite aspects of his playing style, drafting comparisons to the passionateness and strength often associated with basketball.
"It was an effort to item the dynamic and captivating quality of his attack to the game, not a disapproval of his quality oregon capabilities."
Tsitsipas said helium "deeply regrets" immoderate wounded helium whitethorn person caused and would beryllium "more mindful" of his words and their interaction successful the future.
Kyrgios won the lucifer connected 2 July 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (9-7) en way to reaching his archetypal Grand Slam final, which helium mislaid to Novak Djokovic.
In an incident-packed encounter, Kyrgios called for Tsitsipas to beryllium defaulted aft helium deed a shot into the assemblage upon losing the 2nd set, narrowly missing a spectator.
The Australian had received a informing for an obscenity by then, portion Tsitsipas was fixed a constituent punishment for a 2nd codification usurpation arsenic helium responded to an underarm service by hitting the shot distant successful frustration.
After the match, Tsitsipas called Kyrgios a "bully" with "an evil side" portion Kyrgios said Tsitsipas had "serious issues".
Kyrgios had genu country successful January but hopes to beryllium acceptable to play Wimbledon, which starts connected 3 July.
English (US)