Nick Kyrgios, a fiery Australian tennis player, claimed that he was racially abused by some fans during a match against Andy Murray in the Stuttgart semi-finals. Kyrgios received penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, including smashing his racquet and having an angry exchange with the crowd. The 27-year-old, of Greek origin, took to Instagram to express his frustration with the racist slurs directed at him, questioning when such behavior will stop.
After the tournament supervisor intervened, Kyrgios seemed to lose focus on the match as Murray went on to secure a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory. Murray, who will be playing his 70th career final against Matteo Berrettini, commented on Kyrgios’s behavior, acknowledging the challenges that come with playing against him. Murray also noted that the second set was not competitive and was not enjoyable to play due to the disruptions.
On the other side, Matteo Berrettini reached his fourth career final on grass by defeating German player Oscar Otte in the Stuttgart tournament. Berrettini, who is returning to competition after undergoing hand surgery, is aiming for his first title since winning at Queen’s in London last June. With an impressive record on grass, Berrettini expressed his satisfaction with reaching the final and highlighted his enjoyment of tense and close matches. Despite his recent operation, Berrettini is determined to finish the job and win the tournament.
