Stefanos Tsitsipas hits Nick Kyrgios with a VERY telling sledge before blockbuster Wimbledon clash

Will the real Nick Kyrgios please stand up? That’s the question Wimbledon No.4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is asking as the duo prepare for an explosive round-three match at the All England Club.

Kyrgios is better known for his tantrums and on-court antics than his actual tennis and he has form on the board against Tsitsipas.

At the Halle Open in Germany earlier this year, Kyrgios launched an incredible sit-down protest and tirade at the officials over towels – when he was down a set and losing in the second.

‘For what? I can’t go to my towel?’ an incredulous Kyrgios sulked at the time.

‘I do that all the time; I’m waiting for someone. I’m waiting for someone all the time. I’m not playing. Get a supervisor, get a supervisor.’

Kyrgios ultimately won 5-7 6-2 6-4 in the traditional pre-Wimbledon tournament, but Tsitsipas learned a lot about his new rival in that encounter.

Tsitsipas in action in the men’s second round match against Jordan Thompson of Australia at the Wimbledon Championships

Now he has delivered the ultimate four-word sledge, saying that Kyrgios can show incredible fight on the court – ‘when he wants to’. 

‘I feel like everyone here knows who Nick is,’ Tsitsipas said. 

‘We have had many great matches against each other. I respect him for his game and the way he fights … when he wants to.’

Neither player is a stranger to controversy. Most recently, Kyrgios was fined a record $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct in his first-round Wimbledon victory against Brit Paul Jubb.

Kyrgios thanks Tsitsipas after winning their semi-final match atthe Citi Open tennis tournament at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington, DC in 2019

Tsitsipas infamously launched an epic tantrum at the ATP Cup in 2020 when he lost to Kyrgios, hitting his coach and narrowly missing his own father with wayward balls – and getting a lecture from his mother for his behaviour.

While Tsitsipas might be ranked fifth in the world, Kyrgios has beaten him 3-1 in their head-to-head encounters and the Greek star knows that a switched-on Kyrgios poses a massive threat to his grand slam ambition. 

‘Nick has more matches than me on this court. He claims to like grass and I think his game is good for the grass,’ Tsitsipas said.

‘I’m definitely thrilled to be facing him. I respect him a lot on the court, what he is trying to do, although he has been a little bit controversial.

‘I think he’s playing good tennis. I’m going to concentrate on doing my thing and paying attention to my own game from start to finish.

‘Hopefully I can stay there and do something great, have a great competitive match against him.’

Meanwhile, Kyrgios has been forced to controversially abandon his doubles campaign with fellow Aussie and great mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The duo thrilled crowds when they won the Australian Open earlier this year and many fans were curious how their rev-up tactics would work on the traditional lawns of Wimbledon.

Kokkinakis and Kyrgios pose with the championship trophy after winning the Australian Open men’s final against fellow Aussies Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell

However, Kyrgios has chosen to withdraw from the doubles to ensure his body is right for a genuine grand slam tilt at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. 

‘I’m a singles player: my priority has always been singles. I’ve made quarter-finals here before, I’ve won singles titles,’ Kyrgios said.

‘I played nearly four hours in my first round. Me personally, it was just too much time on court.

‘I’ve got an incredibly tough draw but I’ll keep taking it match by match.

‘I’m excited. I feel like we both earned the right. We’re two of the biggest stars in the sport. Hopefully, if we both bring our best tennis, it’s going to be amazing to watch.’