Nick Kyrgios is usually–if not always–is the crazier of the two players in any singles match in which he is participating.
For once that was not the case at the ATP Cup on Tuesday.
After losing the first set in a tiebreaker during a singles rubber against Kyrgios in the Greece vs. Australia ATP Cup tie, Stefanos Tsitsipas slammed his bench and chair with his racket and appeared to injure his father/coach. That promptly led to a talking-to from his mom.
Tsitsipas rebounded to take the second set but eventually lost a wild match 7-6(7), 6-7(3), 7-6(5) in two hours and 34 minutes.
Even prior to Tuesday’s festivities Australia was already through to the ATP Cup quarterfinals in Sydney later this week.
“We’re carrying some momentum going to Sydney,” Kyrgios assured. “It could have been easy to take your foot off the gas today. I thought both the Greeks showed up and I think they really wanted to win this tie, but I was happy we both got it done today…. I served really well in big moments but the atmosphere was awesome.”
“We came here to Brisbane to do a job, so today was nice,” captain Lleyton Hewitt commented. “The quality of tennis was fantastic today and to be able to get through those two matches when the boys could have easily have taken their foot off the pedal today, and that’s not what we’re about. And when you wear the green and gold it’s not what it’s about. So I think everyone can be pretty proud of [Kyrgios and John Millman] today.”
great match
Well, it’s at least good to know that these guys take the tennis seriously and didn’t treat the matches just as an exhibition. Especially Tsitsipas seems to be very driven lately. He had a couple of matches against Nadal recently which were either just an exo or had no further consequences for him but just prestige value (WTF in the early rounds and Abu Dhabi final) but he really played for the win and the spectators got some excellent tennis for their money. But he needs to learn not to get carried away by his emotions.
As to Kyrgios: it’s interesting that he often shows his good side when he’s not just playing for himself but for a team. He seems to need this extra motivation. And right now he also gave himself a fantastic extra incentive by his pledge to donate money to the victims of the wild fires for every ace he will hit! I truly wonder if Kyrgios’ personality would’ve developed very differently if he had chosen a team sport instead of the highly individualistic tennis.
The ATP is spineless when it comes to top players acting out. There should at least be a hefty fine!
The ATP Cup IS serious by ATP standards. There’s a lot of ranking points (750 points to an undefeated singles winner) and cash involved.
None of the WTF round robin matches are totally meaningless. Each is worth 200 to the winner. Not a lot if you’re #1 or 2, but as Rafa pointed out in 2015, 200 points means more if you’re #6
Just watched that short high-light video….and wish I could have seen the entire match….great drama, great tennis….wow!!