Greek tennis superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas has issued an emotional statement amid claims his criticisms of Nick Kyrgios featured in Netflix documentary series Break Point carried an undertone of racism.
The 24-year-old world No. 5 sparked controversy after labelling Kyrgios as “uneducated” in the latest season of Break Point, in remarks made after his heated showdown with the 28-year-old Canberran in the third round at Wimbledon last year.
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During that contest in July 2022, Kyrgios, currently world No. 31, called for Tsitsipas to be defaulted after he hit a ball into the crowd and appeared to hit someone.
Kyrgios won the match in a fiery four-sets before the pair, who had been endured a frosty relationship for years, continued to trade barbs in their respective press conferences.
The feud was then reignited last week with the release of the second season of Break Point in which Tsitsipas claimed Kyrgios had: “brought that NBA basketball attitude to tennis”.
“I would describe it as an uneducated approach of playing tennis,” Tsitsipas told Netflix.
“But you know tennis is a gentleman’s sport, it’s all about respect.
“We are not playing basketball. I feel he was trying to destroy my rhythm. He kept putting his towel in my box.”
On Saturday morning (AEST) Tsitsipas released a lengthy statement to his Facebook page in which he claimed there had been an “unfortunate misunderstanding that has a distorted picture of my intentions” – amid suggestions his comments carried an undertone of racism.
“I want to address a matter that has been weighing heavily on my heart; an unfortunate misunderstanding that has a distorted picture of my intentions,” Tsitsipas wrote.
“It has come to my attention that some individuals have misinterpreted my comments regarding Nick Kyrgios, labelling him as uneducated and accusing him of bringing a basketball mentality into tennis, insinuating racism where none exists.
“Firstly, I want to emphasise that I harbour no prejudice towards anyone based on their background, ethnicity, or interests.
“My previous remarks regarding Nick Kyrgios were not meant to undermine his intelligence or abilities.
“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 detailed his own experience of racism while growing up in Greece in an attempt to show his opposition to discrimination of any kind.
“In 2010, as a white caucasian kid growing up in Greece, I found myself entangled in the clutches of the Greek economic crisis, a period that forever changed my perspective on the world and the resilience within myself,” Tsitsipas wrote.
“The economic turmoil that gripped my beloved country was accompanied by an insidious phenomenon, the one of nation-labelling.
“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.
“What truly scarred me, though, was the racism that emerged from this nation-labelling.
“As a young person trying to make sense of the world and my place in it, 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.
“I made a conscious choice to erase the lingering bitterness from those years and embrace the lessons they had taught me.
“They taught me empathy, and how important it is to see beyond labels and understand the complex realities that shape individuals.”
However Tsitsipas eventually expressed regret for his Break Point comments about Kyrgios, and declared his commitment to thinking more about the impact of his words.
“I deeply regret any hurt or offence my words may have caused,” he wrote.
“It is essential to remember that we all have different viewpoints and interpretations, and it is through open dialogue and understanding that we can bridge gaps and foster genuine connections.
“Moving forward, I commit to being more mindful of my words and the impact they may have.
“I firmly believe in promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity. It is my hope that we can engage in respectful conversations that allow for differing opinions while maintaining empathy and respect for one another.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify my stance and intentions. Your understanding and support mean a great deal to me.
“Let us continue to cherish our shared love for sports, celebrating the beauty and passion they bring to our lives.”
Kyrgios is yet to respond to the statement.
The 2023 Wimbledon tournament is set to get underway on July 3.
