Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios have both been fined for their conduct during the fiery third-round showdown at Wimbledon on…
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios have both been fined for their conduct during the fiery third-round showdown at Wimbledon on Saturday.
The Australian set up a fourth-round showdown with Brandon Nakashima after prevailing 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7) on No.1 Court.
Tensions were high with Tsitsipas growing increasingly frustrated by Kyrgios’ trademark temperamental approach and antics.
The fourth seed almost struck an audience member when hitting the ball into the crowd at the conclusion of the second set, while he also fired the ball at his opponent on several occasions.
Tsitsipas has subsequently been fined £8,250 for unsportsmanlike conduct – the same amount that Kyrgios was forced to pay after spitting towards the crowd following his first-round victory over Paul Jubb.
Meanwhile, the world number 40 must also play £3,300 after directing an audible obscenity towards a line judge.
Tsitsipas, who was also beaten when they faced off in Halle a fortnight ago, took a swipe at his opponent during his post-match press conference, branding him a “bully” while calling for action to be taken to tame his antics.
In response, Kyrgios questioned the lack of composure demonstrated by the Greek ace, who is still seeking his maiden Slam.
“I would be pretty upset if I lost to someone two weeks in a row as well,” the Australian said.
“He was the one hitting balls at me; he was the one that [almost] hit a spectator, he was the one that smacked it out of the stadium.
“Apart from me just going back and forth to the umpire for a bit, I did nothing towards Stefanos that was disrespectful, I don’t think. I was not drilling him with balls.
“We’re not cut from the same cloth; I go up against guys who are true competitors. If he’s affected by that today, then that’s what’s holding him back.
“If someone can just do that and that’s going to throw him off his game like that. I just think it’s soft.”