Stefanos Tsitsipas makes a meek attempt to save face after comments calling Nick Kyrgios UNEDUCATED backfires

To prove how he understands the values of diversity and inclusivity, Tsitsipas cited his own examples of being a white Caucasian and his struggles amid the economic crisis in Greece back in 2010.

Stefanos Tsitsipas makes a meek attempt to save face after comments calling Nick Kyrgios UNEDUCATED backfires

Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image via Sporting News)

Since that heated encounter between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios during the third round of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, things started to cool down between the duo. But the second season of Netflix’s docu-series ‘Break Point’ has opened up the wound again, albeit, it’s Tsitsipas who is at the receiving end. Tennis fans are angry over his comment on Kyrgios, which they perceived as racist slurs.

Last year, Tsitsipas complained of being “bullied” during the match while Kyrgios protested that the Greek should be disqualified from the tournament after he hit a ball into the crowd in frustration. In the Break Point docu-series, Tsitsipas was heard saying that Kyrgios brought NBA’s “uneducated” approach to a “gentleman’s” game like tennis where it’s all about respect. For this comment, Tsitsipas is facing the ire of the fans on social media.

YouTube video

Tsitsipas tried to mend things by posting on Facebook a long statement, issuing his apology for the Aussie and clarifying that his comment did not carry any racist meaning and that fans simply misunderstood the intentions behind it. In the statement, he wrote he has been a fan of basketball and he respects all sports for their uniqueness.

FS Video

“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,” Tsitsipas said in his statement on Facebook, adding that he regrets uttering those words which have now backfired. He claimed he did not undermine Kyrgios‘ abilities or criticized his character but simply drew comparisons with that of how basketball is being played, with passion and intensity.

Related: Ex-Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarrett makes DARING proposition over prize money calling equal pay unjust

Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about his struggles in Greece to declare he understands diversity and inclusivity

Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up about his struggles in Greece to declare he understands diversity and inclusivity
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image via CNN)

To prove how he understands the values of diversity and inclusivity, he cited his own examples of being a white Caucasian and his struggles amid the economic crisis in Greece back in 2010 and how he and his fellow Greeks were the targets of xenophobia. He claimed that dealing with this difficult phase has helped change his perspective and helped him to be a better individual by teaching him empathy.

“In the eyes of the world, we were reduced to mere stereotypes, shouldering the burden of a nation’s struggles, regardless of our individual circumstances or contributions. What truly scarred me, though, was the racism that emerged from this nation-labeling,” he added.

Tsitsipas then added that he had a firsthand experience of what it feels when someone is attacked with racist slurs just because of belonging to a different heritage, ethnicity, and country. The 24-year-old then again expressed his regret over the words he used and committed to being more mindful next time.

Here’s his full statement:

In case you missed!