While Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas argued, tennis fans actually erupted in one big blue after the match as the video of their far from pleasent handshake went viral
One of the joys of being a dedicated tennis fan is seeing how players interact at the net after a heated battle, so everyone was eager to watch how Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas decided things on Sunday morning.
Stefanos Tsitsipas Cold Handshake With Nick Kyrgios At Wimbledon 2022 Video Goes Viral
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nick Kyrgios: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙩#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ySHotqt9fI
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 2, 2022
The handshake 🤝 #Wimbledon #Kyrgios #Tsitsipas pic.twitter.com/J8epkNE3UB
— Omar (@alpaliio) July 2, 2022
In the most dramatic match of the grand slam thus far, the Australian star defeated their third-round blockbuster in four sets. When the match was tied at one set apiece, Kyrgios walked off the court and asked that world No. 5 be given a default because he had hit a ball into the audience.
Tsitsipas has only assessed a point penalty because it was disputed if the ball genuinely bounced off a wall and struck the back of a supporter.
Throughout the game, the Greek star attempted to hit Kyrgios by drilling volleys and smashing directly at his body. The Greek star had grown increasingly frustrated with Kyrgios’ behaviour and had complained to the chair umpire about it.
So, when Kyrgios erupted on match point, the focus immediately shifted to the middle of the court. However, TV networks decided to omit the handshake, which was filled with just as much animosity as the remainder of the game.
“I can officially say I have never given a handshake like that in my life,” Kyrgios said in his post-match press conference. The Australian further said, “Every time I’ve lost, when I defaulted against (Casper) Ruud, I looked people in the eye and I say, ‘Well done today, you were the better man, and he wasn’t man enough to do that today.”
The Post-Match TV Blunder Was Criticised On Social Media
Ben Rothenberg, a podcaster and tennis journalist, tweeted: “MY GOD THEY DIDN’T SHOW THE HANDSHAKE WTF.
They didn't show the handshake in these slo-mo replays of the end of the match, either.
I seethe profusely.#Wimbledon
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 2, 2022
British reporter Mike Dickson was also quick to write about the incident and wrote: “The handshake was unmissable, but they still managed it.”
The handshake was unmissable, but they still managed it. https://t.co/5I7XxjdexH
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) July 2, 2022
Another sports journalist from Egypt Reem Abulleil also wrote about the incident on Twitter.
unreal decision not to show the handshake
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 2, 2022
German tennis star Andrea Petkovic wrote:
WE WERE ALL JUST HERE FOR THE HANDSHAKE AND YOU CUT AWAY BBC WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU
— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) July 2, 2022
Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick tweeted:
How on earth did they miss the handshake ?
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 2, 2022
Wimbledon, thankfully, heard the commotion and later shared a video of the handshake on their official social media accounts.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nick Kyrgios: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙩#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ySHotqt9fI
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 2, 2022
There were other complaints about how the TV networks covered the game. The BBC received criticism for what viewers claimed to be a consistent anti-Kyrgios bias expressed by the pundits.
One analyst called Kyrgios “intimidating” and stated he was lucky to still be on the court after the match given the way he had conducted himself. The caller added that Tsitsipas has every right to criticise his rival’s actions.
Editor Lewis Steele blasted the British public broadcaster for its “horrific anti-Kyrgios bias in the commentary” with “no alternate views offered”.
While commentating on a US broadcast of the match, American tennis legend John McEnroe was criticised for his blatant hypocrisy in another place.
On Sunday, McEnroe, the original tennis wild kid who frequently made life miserable for umpires while he was competing, criticised Kyrgios’ actions.
Ironic hearing John McEnroe talk about Nick Kyrgios being disrespectful of tennis and the sport's tradition. #Wimbledon2022
— Marlon A. Walker (@marlonawalker) July 2, 2022
Watching #Wimbledon and this Kyrgios vs Tsitsipas match is pure entertainment! 1st time witnessing tennis beef and I’m loving it. Great tennis too. Also, it’s rich hearing McEnroe talk about how disgraceful Kyrgios is being to the game of tennis. Of all people…
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) July 2, 2022
Not a big tennis guy, but every once in a blue I'll get sucked into watching a good match (almost always at Wimbledon), and this one was outstanding. https://t.co/wYs1YOEACP
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) July 2, 2022
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