\n<\/p>\n
\u201cPretty much expected, to be honest,\u201d Tsitsipas said after advancing to the second round of the US Open in New York with an upset victory over 10th seed Arthur Fils.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am surprised it came so late, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyrgios received the suspension earlier this month after revealing that he tested positive for cocaine in June while in Spain for a tennis event.<\/p>\n
The former Wimbledon finalist could face a suspension of up to four years, although a lighter penalty remains possible.<\/p>\n
Tsitsipas said he already knew about the case before officials announced it publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it,\u201d the Greek tennis star said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made and when I saw it on social media, I was like, \u2018Here we go.\u2019 I kind of expected it, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tsitsipas and Kyrgios have history<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The latest comments reopen a bitter rivalry between the two players, who clashed publicly after their tempestuous third-round meeting at Wimbledon four years ago.<\/p>\n Tsitsipas received a US$10,000 fine after hitting a ball into the crowd and narrowly missing a spectator. He also admitted that he deliberately targeted Kyrgios with some shots in response to the Australian\u2019s controversial behaviour during the match.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s constant bullying. That\u2019s what he does,\u201d Tsitsipas said at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cHe bullies the opponents. He was probably a bully at school himself. I don\u2019t like bullies. I don\u2019t like people that put other people down.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsitsipas also acknowledged that Kyrgios had positive qualities but accused him of having a darker side.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has some good traits in his character, as well. But he also has a very evil side to him, which if it\u2019s exposed, it can really do a lot of harm and bad to the people around him,\u201d Tsitsipas said.<\/p>\n Kyrgios dismissed those comments at the time, calling Tsitsipas \u201csoft\u201d.<\/p>\n The Australian has since struggled with persistent injuries and underwent multiple wrist and knee surgeries following the best season of his career in 2022.<\/p>\n Kyrgios has indicated that he has likely played his last competitive singles match, leaving his future in professional tennis uncertain even before his latest suspension.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n