Stefanos Tsitsipas reignites Nick Kyrgios feud after Australia pull out with ankle injury

Feisty Greek ace Stefanos Tsitsipas has reignited his feud with Nick Kyrgios after the Australian enigma turned his back on the inaugural United Cup, which is due to start in Sydney on Thursday.

Kyrgios withdrew from the 18-team mixed competition within 24 hours of the start of the tournament, citing an ankle injury.

Kyrgios and Tsitsipas were forced to combine for a doubles match at the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia this month, but any repairs to their relationship could have crumbled when the latter spoke to reporters on Wednesday.

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“It’s no surprise,” Tsitsipas said of Kyrgios’ withdrawal.

“I hope he is enjoying his vacation.”

Tsitsipas’ frosty relationship with Kyrgios exploded after he was knocked out by Canberran in the third round of this year’s Wimbledon tournament.

In a sensational press conference at the All England Club, Tsitsipas called his rival a ‘bully’ and said he had a ‘very evil side to him’.

Kyrgios had asked default chair umpire Tsitsipas for throwing a ball into the crowd, before threatening to refuse to play until each of the tournament supervisors appeared on the pitch to discuss the matter.

Angered by Kyrgios’ antics, Tsitsipas fired three shots at his opponent’s body, resulting in two code violations and ultimately a penalty point.

Watch Team Australia take on the world in the United Cup, live and exclusively on 9Now and Stan Sports.

“I don’t know where all his energy comes from,” Tsitsipas added on Wednesday.

“There are so many. I don’t know how he does it.

“You can’t concentrate on your own game, there’s so much noise coming from the other side of the net. It’s distracting. You have to be at your best to overcome it all.”

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Australia’s United Cup squad consists of Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler, John Peers, Ajla Tomljanović, Zoe Hives, Maddison Inglis and Samantha Stosur.

Greece fielded Tsitsipas, Michail Pervolarakis, Stefanos Sakellaridis, Petros Tsitsipas, Maria Sakkari, Despina Papamichail, Valentini Grammatikopoulou and Sapfo Sakellardi.

“We all do it together,” Tsitsipas said of the Greek team.

“Our team has all their eyes on the prize, but this (winning) can only be achieved by joining forces and committing on a daily basis.

“When it comes to tennis, the team events are my favourite.

“I have great confidence in the players in our team.

“We all aim for excellence together.”

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