Wimbledon 2022 delivered its share of memorable contests, but few burned as brightly, or perhaps as chaotically, as the third-round clash between Greece`s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Australia`s Nick Kyrgios. Now, reflecting on that infamous encounter, Tsitsipas offers a remarkably candid assessment of the emotional toll it took, admitting the match pushed him to the brink of losing control.
The match, which Kyrgios ultimately won in four sets (6-7, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6), was less about the scoreline and more about the palpable tension and drama that unfolded on Court 1. Known for his flamboyant and often confrontational on-court demeanor, Kyrgios appeared to get under Tsitsipas`s skin from the outset.
Speaking about the experience, Tsitsipas described it as one of the most emotionally charged matches of his career. It wasn`t just the pressure of Wimbledon; he revealed he was also dealing with a physical ailment – a stuffy nose and a slight fever – which, while seemingly minor, added to his overall irritation. However, the primary catalyst for his unraveling, according to Tsitsipas, was the action emanating from the other side of the net.
“That match provoked a reaction in me far more intense than one could possibly imagine,” Tsitsipas stated, looking back. “I genuinely felt like I went crazy on that day. I had never witnessed myself behaving in such a manner during a match.”
The Greek star didn`t shy away from attributing a significant portion of his emotional state to his opponent`s influence. “What was happening on the other side of the court simply drove me out of my mind,” he confessed. The frustration culminated infamously after he lost the second set, resulting in him hitting a ball wildly into the stands, a moment that earned him a code violation and could easily have led to harsher penalties, including disqualification.
It was a clear, physical manifestation of a player pushed past his usual limits. Tsitsipas felt a distinct loss of autonomy over his own feelings, perceiving Kyrgios as the architect of his emotional downfall. “He was, effectively, controlling my emotions,” Tsitsipas reflected, acknowledging the profound impact his opponent had on his mental state throughout the contest.
While the match ended in defeat and controversy for Tsitsipas, he now views it through the lens of experience. The overwhelming nature of the emotions and the subsequent loss of composure served as a stark, albeit painful, lesson. He understands now the critical importance of maintaining emotional fortitude, regardless of external provocation.
“I completely lost my sanity in that moment, but I have since learned from it,” Tsitsipas concluded. The key takeaway? A reinforced understanding that allowing an opponent to dictate one`s emotional state is a surrendering of control that no top athlete can afford. The chaotic Wimbledon encounter against Kyrgios, while regrettable in its execution, appears to have been a pivotal, albeit wild, chapter in Tsitsipas`s ongoing development as a competitor.
