Stefanos Tsitsipas aims a dig at Nick Kyrgios after leaving his country in the lurch with his no-show at the United Cup as Greek star resumes his war of words with bitter Wimbledon rival: ‘I’m NOT surprised’
- Stefanos Tsitsipas has aimed another dig at his arch rival, Nick Kyrgios
- Kyrgios was a late withdrawal from the United Cup, set to begin tomorrow
- His no-show risks angering his Australian teammates in Sydney this week
- Tsitsipas said he was not surprised by Kyrgios’s failure to show up
Stefanos Tsitsipas could not help himself from wading into another Nick Kyrgios row following the Australian’s withdrawal from the United Cup.
World No.22 Kyrgios was scheduled to spearhead the Australian team, starting against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Sydney on Thursday night, but withdrew from the mixed-gender tournament ahead of Wednesday’s team press conference.
Kyrgios was also due to play Rafael Nadal in the most eagerly-anticipated match-up of the event when Australia meets Spain next week.
Stefanos Tsitsipas aimed another dig at his arch rival, Nick Kyrgios, on Wednesday afternoon
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has reportedly been dealing with an ankle injury suffered in an exhibition tournament in Dubai last week and has prioritised his Melbourne Park campaign.
However, his late withdrawal has left Australia in the lurch, and his teammates only learned 10 minutes before their press conference that he would no longer be joining them.
And according to Greek rival Tsitsipas, Kyrgios’s no-show is no surprise.
‘I don’t see it as a surprise. I hope he enjoys his holidays,’ he said.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured) has pulled out of the United Cup teams event just a day before his scheduled opening match, citing the need to overcome injury ahead of the Australian Open
Kyrgios and Tsitsipas share a bitter rivalry stemming from their explosive round four clash at Wimbledon earlier this year. The Australian’s antics infuriated the Greek star as he was dumped out. Kyrgios was defeated in the final by Novak Djokovic.
Team captain Samantha Stosur said she hadn’t spoken to Kyrgios about his decision and wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would be fit for the Open.
‘I’m not going to speak for Nick’s summer, we’ve got to leave that for him,’ Stosur told reporters.
World No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had a verbal bust-up with Kyrgios earlier this year, wasn’t surprised at his rival’s withdrawal.
Tsitsipas said he was not surprised by Kyrgios’s no show and wished him a good holiday
‘I don’t see it as a surprise. I hope he enjoys his holidays,’ Tsitsipas said in Perth.
With Kyrgios out, world No.24 Alex de Minaur will move into the No.1 men’s position for Team Australia and play against Norrie and Nadal, with world No.107 Jason Kubler – the fifth-ranked Aussie male – promoted to the No.2 spot.
De Minaur was unwilling to focus on Kyrgios, instead wanting to talk about the rest of the Australian team.
‘Ultimately we’re just going to get ready,’ de Minaur told reporters.
‘We’ve got a great team and we’re all going to be out there doing our best.
‘So ultimately the only thing that changes is match-ups and that’s about it.’
The pair endured a hostile clash at Wimbledon earlier this year, which Kyrgios triumphed in
Kyrgios was due to represent Australia for the first time since the now-defunct ATP Cup in 2020, having sat out the Davis Cup for the past three years, as well as the Tokyo Olympics.
‘Like ‘Demon’ said, we just move forward now. We’re all happy to be here and keen to get out there,’ Stosur said.
‘Now that (Kyrgios news) is out there and we move forward with the placings of the team and do our best on the day.
‘As far as the men’s side of this team goes, we’re in very capable hands still.
‘So I’m not concerned that our chances have just diminished greatly or anything like that. We’re out here to do everything we can possible to try and win this competition.’
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