Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas play doubles together in Diriyah five months after bitter Wimbledon row
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Published 10/12/2022 at 11:47 GMT
Just five months on from their frosty encounter at Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas were paired together on the doubles court at the Diriyah Tennis Cup. It was not a complete disaster for the unlikely team-mates, losing via consecutive tie-breaks to Hubert Hurkacz and Dominic Stricker, although missing out on the doubles final may have been in both of their best interests…
Kyrgios and Tsitsipas combine as unlikely doubles team to win nice point
Rivals Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas played doubles together at the Diriyah Tennis Cup – although not by choice.
The pair were automatically paired together after they both lost their opening singles matches at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their checkered history, they fell 7-6(3) 7-6(3) to Hubert Hurkacz and Dominic Stricker, although there were flashes of brilliance from both players.
Kyrgios and Tsitsipas have had a fractious relationship which came to a head at Wimbledon this year.
The Australian called for Tsitsipas to be defaulted after sending a backhand into the crowd, before branding the umpire a “disgrace” for ignoring his plea.
Tsitsipas later accused Kyrgios of being an “evil bully”, while Kyrgios claimed his rival had “serious issues” and is “not liked” in the locker room.
The pair were slated to meet in the singles semi-finals but both lost to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets.
Kyrgios chose to play the exhibition tournament instead of representing Australia at this year’s Davis Cup.
The 27-year-old missed out as the team finished runners-up to Canada at the final in Malaga, saying the decision was "an easy one".
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Kyrgios whips forehand winner during doubles outing with Tsitsipas
“At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me,” he said.
“I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures – you know, I feel I put myself in that position – so it’s an easy one for me.
“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well.
“[That] doesn’t really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete.”
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