Nick Kyrgios reacts to Goran Ivanisevic’s ‘brutal’ Stefanos Tsitsipas comments, ‘kicking someone when they’re down’

Emerging in the media of all places, he tore into his student, picking apart his game and lambasting his preparation for Wimbledon and beyond.

Nick Kyrgios, reacting to such claims, has now given his verdict.

Nick Kyrgios reveals if he likes Stefanos Tsitsipas

Seeking to comment on these controversial claims made by Ivanisevic, Kyrgios sympathised with the Greek tennis star: ‘He’s had a tough.. I mean, tough couple of months. Yeah.

‘You know, he hasn’t had many great results this year, he’s played OK, but, look, obviously everything that’s happening outside the tennis court as well, you know, relationship-wise, and then he’s coached today, I mean, absolutely battered him in the media.

‘He’s a legend, and he obviously, you know, a Wimbledon legend, but, you know, he’s thrashed his player in the media, hasn’t he? And it’s just hard. Like, I feel like if you’re having those conversations, it’s okay to have those conversations behind closed doors, but airing out, like, especially your players kind of mentality and the way he’s feeling right now, like, everyone has lulls in sport and then this would just be a temporary thing for Tsitsipas, but saying it out in the media where pretty much every tennis outlet picked it up…

‘I mean, talk about kicking someone when they’re down. Like, you just broke up with your missus, and then now you’re really struggling with your tennis, and now you’re getting absolutely shredded by your coach.

‘I can’t imagine Tsitsipas is feeling too good at the moment, probably, you know, reminiscence of the third round [when Kyrgios beat him at Wimbledon].’

Then asked if he actually likes Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kyrgios continued: ‘I do, like… I don’t mind him. He’s very different, and I think he’s a person. He’s one of those personalities that sport I think needs, because he is a lot different to the normal tennis player.’

And then posed the same question about Ivanisevic, he finished by stating: ‘I mean, we had a good relationship when he worked with Novak.

I feel like, you know, we have similar kind of game styles. You know, I always thought he was an amazing player, but I didn’t rate the fact that, you know, there’s got to be a trust between your player and your coach? You’ve got to have your players’ best interest and that’s as a human first. And I can’t imagine this would be helping Tsitsipas feel good about himself. 

‘I don’t think Tsitsipas’ personality would react well to that. I mean, I don’t think he’s someone that will respond in a positive way from that. But I might be wrong. Hopefully he does.

‘I mean, look, nothing will make me happier than seeing Tsitsipas get back to some form because he’s a good player to watch. I do genuinely like watching him play.

But, yeah, brutal. I don’t rate that.’

What Goran Ivanisevic said about Stefanos Tsitsipas

Ivanisevic spoke at length after Tsitsipas’ first-round exit at Wimbledon, after the 26-year-old retired injured after finding himself two sets to love down.

The Croatian did not hold back despite injury clearly hampering the former world number three, claiming: ‘He says he wants to [return to the top level], but he’s not doing anything. It’s always ‘I want, I want,’ but I don’t see any progress.

‘I was shocked; I’ve never seen a more unprepared player in my life. With this knee, I’m three times fitter than him. It’s really bad.’

Tsitsipas gave an emotional interview after that crushing defeat, but it seems that Ivanisevic is pulling no punches despite this.

Tsitsipas hired Ivanisevic back in April, but the two are yet to really showcase any progression from their time working together.