Wimbledon 2022: Nick Kyrgios laughs off Stefanos Tsitsipas bully claims: ‘I’m one of the most liked, he’s not’

Nick Kyrgios has laughed off claims by Stefanos Tsitsipas that he is a "bully", insisting: "I'm one of the most liked ... he's not."

The pair played out a bad-tempered yet enthralling third-round clash at Wimbledon, which the Australian won 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7).

Kyrgios was warned for swearing and then called for Tsitsipas to be defaulted after the Greek hit a ball close to a spectator's head after losing the second set.

Tsitsipas was cleared wound up by his opponent’s antics, twice hitting the ball straight at him, and the drama continued in the post-match press conferences as he claimed Kyrgios has "an evil side".

Afterwards, Kyrgios laughed off Tsitsipas's remarks about bullying and said his opponent had "serious issues".

"I don't know what to say. I'm not sure how I bullied him. He was the one hitting balls at me, he was the one that hit a spectator, he was the one that smacked it out of the stadium," said Kyrgios, who is in the last 16 for the fourth time.

"I did nothing towards Stefanos today that was disrespectful. I was not drilling him with balls. To come in here and say I bullied him, that's just soft. We're not cut from the same cloth. I go up against guys who are true competitors.

"I've got many friends in the locker room, just to let you know. I'm actually one of the most liked. I'm set. He's not liked. Let's just put that there."