Stefanos Tsitsipas says Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal from the United Cup shouldn’t come as a surprise, also suggesting that he didn’t really enjoy playing doubles with the Australian. Today, Kyrgios announced a late withdrawal from the United Cup, citing an ankle injury.
Kyrgios’ late retirement left the Australian United Cup team «stunned» as they failed to notice the 27-year-old was dealing with an injury problem. “I don’t think it’s a surprise. I don’t see it as a surprise.
I hope you enjoy your holiday,» Tsitsipas said, when asked about Kyrgios’ late retirement.
Stef with the best answer of the new season so far pic.twitter.com/eOETq2NlhU —Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) December 28, 2022
In early December, Tsitsipas and Kyrgios paired up for the doubles event at the Diriyah Tennis Cup.
Tsitsipas and Kyrgios failed to win the title as Hubert Hurkacz and Dominic Stricker defeated the two 7-6(3) 7-6(3).
Now, Tsitsipas was asked how he felt playing doubles with Kyrgios.
«What can I say? Hard to concentrate for sure.
I’ve played doubles with a lot of guys, girls too, not that many actually. Very hard to concentrate. I don’t know where that energy comes from. There’s a lot of that. You want to go to yours. You want to focus on your own half of the pitch.
There is only noise coming from the other side. It’s a distraction. It’s not easy,» Tsitsipas explained.
It seems Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t like playing doubles with Nick Kyrgios…
(Did you really think you would?) pic.twitter.com/TkE4l7gXla —James Gray (@jamesgraysport) December 28, 2022
Tsitsipas and Kyrgios had a heated Wimbledon match Just five months earlier, Tsitsipas and Kyrgios had a heated Wimbledon match and tensions ran high throughout the match.
After Kyrgios rallied from a set down to beat Tsitsipas in the third round, the Greek described the Australian as «an evil bully» in his post-match press conference. When Kyrgios was asked about Tsitsipas’ comments, he described the Greek as «soft».
The Diriyah Tennis Cup has a unique format as players who lose early in the singles tournament move on to the doubles event. Since both Tsitsipas and Kyrgios lost early in Saudi Arabia, they were placed in the doubles event. During the match, there didn’t seem to be any tension between the two.
