Greek tennis gun Stefanos Tsitsipas apologised after his third-round Australian Open encounter on Friday after he launched a foul-mouthed tirade at a linesman he labelled a “malaka”.
The world No. 15, who will take on Roger Federer in the next round, was seething when a line judge erroneously cost him the chance to claim the third set of his match against Nikoloz Basilashvili.
“That wanker has f***ed me, f*** your house,” Tsitsipas said in his native Greek tongue. surprise, almost the whole stadium understood what he said.
The outburst resulted in a code violation, with a set to follow.
“It was the heat of the moment, I said some really bad things,” the 20-year-old said after he eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
“I regret saying them but I really wanted this really bad.
“At that moment it felt like it was slipping out, you know. Basilashvili kind of found comfort and confidence after that. So I was really frustrated,” Australian media the age reports.
Despite the ugly incident, Tsitsipas won with a 3-2 set.
His victory does not only include him among the Top 16 in Australia Open, it also secures that a Greek souvlaki will bear his name.
Greek restaurant Stalactites in Melbourne has promised to name a slow-cooked lamb souvlaki after Tsitsipas, should he win against Basilashvili.
“Tsitsipas dines at Greek restaurants each night in Melbourne and says he likes ‘Stalactites’ – among others – which was a popular destination for Baghdatis in the past. “I heard they named the souvlaki… https://t.co/LhLgWZ5AWz
— Stalactites Greek (@StalactitesRest) January 17, 2019
The Tsitsipas Souvlaki will be probably one of the greatest honors the 20-year-old athlete can receive, should he not tame his tongue.
All we need now is that Stalactites restaurant presents the new dish with a mouthwatering picture and reveals the recipe.
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