Stefanos Tsitsipas says comments he made towards Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in 2022 have been “misinterpreted” after they were perceived as racist on social media.
Greece’s Tsitsipas said the Australian’s approach to tennis was “uneducated” after he was knocked out in a fiery third-round clash.
He also said Kyrgios brought “that NBA basketball attitude” to tennis.
His remarks were shown in the new series of Netflix’s Break Point.
Tsitsipas, the current world number five, said there had been “an unfortunate misunderstanding that has a distorted picture of my intentions”.
“It has come to my attention that some individuals have misinterpreted my comments regarding Nick Kyrgios… insinuating racism where none exists,” Tsitsipas, 24, wrote on Facebook.
“I want to emphasise that I harbour no prejudice towards anyone based on their background, ethnicity, or interests. I deeply regret if my words were misinterpreted or caused offence, as that was never my intention.”
He added: “My previous remarks regarding Nick Kyrgios were not meant to undermine his intelligence or abilities. Instead, I simply intended to express my perspective on certain aspects of his playing style, drawing comparisons to the passion and intensity often associated with basketball.
“It was an attempt to highlight the dynamic and captivating nature of his approach to the game, not a criticism of his character or capabilities.” (BBC)