"Were not meant to undermine his intelligence or abilities": Tsitsipas releases statement to explain Kyrgios remarks

Stefanos Tsitsipas has released a statement addressing some questionable comments he made during Break Point when he described the tennis of Nick Kyrgios as uneducated.

Tsitsipas was talking about his Wimbledon match against Kyrgios where the Greek completely got overwhelmed with emotions during a heated clash with Kyrgios. A very skilled player in terms of pushing the buttons, Kyrgios was able to make Tsitsipas very uncomfortable with the way he approaches tennis and Kyrgios found it very different from what he is used to.

In Break Point, the Greek explained it as an uneducated approach to tennis, one that reminds him of basketball while he described tennis as a gentleman's sport. It was a rather unfortunate way of phrasing things and it earned him a lot of criticism online with some going as far as saying that the comment had racist undertones.

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Apology

In response, Tsitisipas put ou ta strong statement apologizing for the way he spoke. We bring you the full message below.

"I hope this message finds you well. Today, 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. It has come to my attention that some individuals have misinterpreted my comments regarding Nick Kyrgios, labeling him as uneducated and accusing him of bringing a basketball mentality into tennis, insinuating racism where none exists.

Let me take this opportunity to provide clarity and rectify any misconceptions that may have arisen. Firstly, I want to emphasize that I harbor no prejudice towards anyone based on their background, ethnicity, or interests. I deeply regret if my words were misinterpreted or caused offense, as that was never my intention. It is true that I love the game of basketball and have been a devoted fan for years. The excitement, skill, and competitiveness of the sport have always resonated with me.

However, my admiration for basketball should not be misconstrued as a dismissal or belittlement of other sports, including tennis. Each sport carries its own unique beauty, and I hold immense respect for the dedication and talent displayed by athletes across various disciplines, including tennis. 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."

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