• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Stefanos Tsitsipas' dad under fire over for his actions during the Australian Open final

Home> Tennis

Updated 02:19 30 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 02:06 30 Jan 2023 GMT

Stefanos Tsitsipas' dad under fire over for his actions during the Australian Open final

While his son won all the plaudits for his classy post-match speech, Apostolos Tsitsipas has been heavily criticised.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

People are criticising Stefanos Tsitsipas' father for not standing up during the trophy ceremony at the Australian Open.

The Greek fan favourite fell agonisingly short of winning his first Grand Slam title, losing out in straight sets to arguably one of the greatest tennis players of of all-time in Novak Djokovic.

But while Tsitsipas was praised for his classy runner-up speech during his on-court interview, his father has been slammed for his actions during it.

It has become tradition for everyone inside the arena to stand up while the athletes are interviewed after the match.

Advert

But, for whatever reason, Tsitsipas' father and coach Apostolos remained seated during both his son's and Djokovic's speeches.

As for the rest of the world number four's box, they stood up around Apostolos.

This didn't go down well with viewers.

Yasmin Syed tweeted: "In my personal opinion it's really really not nice that Tsitsipas' dad isn't standing up or clapping during his son's speech and this overall trophy ceremony. Show some respect."

Advert

While Claire Connelly added: "Christ. Djokovic is complimenting his family and even still, he can’t bring himself to stand. It’s not on. It’s just not tennis."

In contrast, fans heaped praise on Stefanos for his gracious-in-defeat comments about his opponent, where he described Djokovic as "the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet."

Advert

"It speaks for yourself what you have achieved so far," Tsitsipas said.

"It's all in the numbers. Congratulations. Not only to yourself but to having, like, such supportive family.

"You know, I think it's very similar the way we grew up around tennis, so it's been an unbelievable journey for you so I admire what you have done for our sport. I think you make me a better player when I am on the court, so thank you.

"I've had the privilege to play a lot of difficult, high- intensity matches but I would like to say one more time Novak brings the best out in me they've been working my whole life for. He's the one of the greatest in our sport and I think - he's the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet for sure.

Advert

"I haven't done this but I'd like to thank you for pushing our sport so far. I think it deserves a player like you that pushes everyone, every single player, every single individual that's involved in the sport to the max."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@_ClaireConnelly

Topics: Australia, Australian Open, Tennis

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

X

@maxysherry

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence on smashing racket following defeat in Australian Open final
  • Australian Open star blasts 'embarrassing and disrespectful' journalists in astonishing news conference
  • Carlos Alcaraz writes touching 10-word message on camera to Jack Draper after star retires from Australian Open match
  • Eurosport forced to apologise for Nick Kyrgios' behaviour in shock defeat at Australian Open

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Tennis star Corentin Moutet whistled by entire stadium for what he did seconds into one of 'the most bizarre and chaotic matches in history'

    Moutet's clash against Nicolas Jarry was controversial, to say the least.

    Tennis
  • 9 hours ago

    Body language expert reveals Emma Raducanu's true feelings on Carlos Alcaraz after 'never-before-seen' change

    Emma Raducanu was asked about social media rumours about her and Carlos Alcaraz, her US Open mixed doubles partner.

    Tennis
  • 10 hours ago

    Jannik Sinner questioned over 'really weird' incident ahead of Wimbledon as Novak Djokovic speaks out on rival

    The tennis world number one has made a controversial decision ahead of the most famous competition in the sport.

    Tennis
  • 12 hours ago

    Wimbledon fans told not to travel to tournament as official statement released hours before first match

    The Wimbledon Championships will begin on Monday morning.

    Tennis