Looking back on the big tennis news in our exclusive ‘Second Service’… Nick Kyrgios pokes fun at Stefanos Tsitsipas as Patrick Mouratoglou explains why Alcaraz is a mix of the big three, plus more…
To start this tennis news roundup, Nick Kyrgios has made fun of Stefanos Tsitsipas after the Greek’s mother made comments about their Wimbledon encounter in July.
Speaking to the Greek City Times recently, Julia Sergeyevna Apostoli said Kyrgios is the only player that puts her son out of his right mind. Moreover, she accused the Australian of underhanded tactics in their third round Wimbledon battle in the summer.
Kyrgios has fed into the drama by posting a highlight from their match on his Instagram story. Accompanying the clip he writes ‘dirty tennis’ in direct reference to Apostoli’s comments.
In other tennis news, Carlos Alcaraz unites some of the best qualities of all three of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in his play according to prolific coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Before New York the teenage sensation claimed a second career title in Rio de Janeiro before Masters crowns in Miami and Madrid.
“He combines the qualities of the three greatest players of all time,” Mouratoglou told Tennis Majors of Alcaraz. “I think the one his game is closest to is Federer. Like him, he’s super aggressive and super creative, always trying to do something with the ball. The speed with which he is able to go from the back to the inside of the court, that’s pure Roger.
Furthermore, Dan Evans is prepared to walk away from Great Britain’s Davis Cup team after feeling ‘insulted’ by not being selected for doubles.
Evans, the British number two, first made his debut in 2009 and was part of the victorious 2015 team. He has become an integral part of the singles team but is yet to make his bow in doubles in the competition.
He watched from the sidelines as Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury were defeated in the decisive doubles match against the Netherlands last month.
“It’s f***king annoying,” Evans told i. “It’s disappointing. To be frank, it’s a bit insulting also that I haven’t been picked to ever to play the Davis Cup [in doubles].
Read what Pegula had to say here.
To conclude, Stefanos Tsitsipas is enjoying himself on tour at the moment after the ’emotional rollercoaster’ of the last couple of months.
The world number five has reached six finals in 2022, including at two Masters 1000 events, claiming two titles in Monte Carlo and Mallorca. But his Slam results have dwindled as the season has worn on, culminating in an unexpected defeat at the US Open to world number 94 Daniel Elahi Galan in the first round.
“I would call them emotional roller coasters,” Tsitsipas told Sweden’s SVT of his season of late. “Starting off with the US Open, which was probably one of the worst performances so far of my career. That particular match. I didn’t feel like myself at all on the court that day.
🎾 Free >> Join our legendary newsletter
🎾 Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
🎾 Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
🎾 Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
🎾 Watch >> How to enjoy ATP/WTA/Slam tennis on TV
