Stefanos Tsitsipas writes essay trying to walk back comments calling Nick Kyrgios ‘uneducated’

They are never going to exchange Christmas cards and the escalating rivalry between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas has ramped up another level after the Greek star called the Aussie ‘uneducated’.

The Greek world No 5 made the statement in the latest episode of Netflix special Break Point.

‘He has brought that NBA basketball kind of attitude to tennis,’ Tsitsipas said.

‘I would describe it as an uneducated approach of playing tennis.’

It is the latest chapter in the long-running feud between the two tennis stars.

Kyrgios knocked Tsitisipas out in Wimbledon last year, demanding he be defaulted for swatting a ball into the crowd.

Tsitisipas responded by calling Kyrgios a ‘clown’.

That set-to has led to an ongoing battle between the two big personalities on social media.

Before the episode went to air, Tsitsipas has complained about how the show focused on drama over tennis.

‘I’m not a big fan of the whole production. They could’ve done a significantly better job. I’m a bit disappointed there,’ he said.

‘What we get here has more to do with gossip & soap opera. That doesn’t belong there in my opinion.’

Now, he has penned a lengthy statement clarifying his comments on Kyrgios and claiming to be misunderstood. 

‘My previous remarks regarding Nick Kyrgios were not meant to undermine his intelligence or abilities,’ the statement read.

‘Instead, I simply intended to express my perspective on certain aspects of his playing style, drawing comparisons to the passion and intensity often associated with basketball.

‘It was an attempt to highlight the dynamic and captivating nature of his approach to the game, not a criticism of his character or capabilities.’

Tsitsipas then went on to outline how he had suffered ‘prejudice and discrimination’ during a difficult upbringing in Greece. 

‘The economic turmoil that gripped my beloved country was accompanied by an insidious phenomenon, the one of nation-labelling,’ he wrote.

‘People began to judge and categorise individuals based solely on their Greek nationality, ascribing blame and making sweeping generalisation about an entire population.

‘In the eyes of the world, we were reduced to mere stereotypes, shouldering the burden of a nation’s struggles, regardless of our individual circumstances or contributions.

‘I experienced first-hand the sting of prejudice and discrimination.

‘Suddenly, I became the target of hurtful words, exclusion, and judgment simply because of my Greek heritage.

‘The relationships I had cherished changed overnight, leaving me feeling isolated and disheartened.

‘As I confronted the harsh realities of racism, I vowed to rise above it, to prove that my worth and identity were not defined by the economic circumstances of my country.’

Kyrgios was yet to return serve at the time of publication.