Stefanos Tsitsipas: tennis needs Nick Kyrgios in the sport to make it 'fun'

Stefanos Tsitsipas was beaten by Nick Kyrgios in the Washington Open semi-final on Saturday, but then immediately said his opponent was needed in the game to prevent it being "too serious". Saturday was classic Kyrgios. The Australian prepared by playing table tennis with young fans, then enjoyed a thrilling clash with Tsitsipas that he won 6-4, 3-6, 7-6. But that didn't tell the full story. During proceedings the 24 year old insisted on bringing a new trainer to his opponent, the No 1 seed, after the laces snapped. Then after saving a match point, when the world No 52 was serving for the win he decided to ask a spectator for advice on where he should serve. After winning the point he immediately ran back to shake hands with the spectator before he approached the net to talk to Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas, who will move up to No 5 in the ATP world rankings on Monday, had played doubles with Kyrgios earlier in the week and he saw the Australian in a new light. "Some people love him. Some people hate him. I believe we need people like him in the game,'' Tsitsipas said. "Otherwise, everything becomes too serious. He's fun.'' Kyrgios will now face Daniil Medvedev, after the Russian ousted lucky loser Peter Gojowczyk. Medvedev had a more straightforward semi-final clash, needing just 56 minutes to win 6-2, 6-2. The 23-year-old converted all five of his break-point opportunities and won 78 per cent of his first-serve points during the match. Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem triumphed on his home soil as he won the Austria Open title in Kitzbuhel. The world number four saved all six break points he faced to defeat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6, 6-1. Diego Schwartzman claimed victory in the Los Cabos Open final in Mexico, winning 7-6, 6-3 against Taylor Fritz. The No 3 seed overcame his American opponent in an hour and 40 minutes to scoop his third career title.

Stefanos Tsitsipas: tennis needs Nick Kyrgios in the sport to make it 'fun'

Despite losing to the Australian in Washington, the No 1 seed praised his opponent