Top 5 Best Quotes of 2022, No. 2: Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas spar in Wimbledon pressers

No. 2: “Give a man a mask and he will become his true self.”

The tennis world saw plenty of that quote throughout the Wimbledon fortnight. Nick Kyrgios sports the quote as a tattoo on his left leg, and Stefanos Tsitsipas threw the mantra right back at the Aussie on Instagram following their tense four-setter on No. 1 Court.

Kyrgios and Tsitsipas had everyone talking as their match slowly spun off its axis: Kyrgios argued line calls, Tsitsipas attempted to drill his opponent at net. And that was all before their respective press conferences, during which the latter accused Kyrgios of “bullying.”

“He bullies the opponents,” said the No. 4 seed, who lost to Kyrgios for the second time that month, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7). “He was probably a bully at school himself. I don't like bullies. I don't like people that put other people down.

“He has some good traits in his character, as well. But when he also has a very evil side to him, which if it's exposed, it can really do a lot of harm and bad to the people around him.”

If he's affected by that today, then that's what's holding him back, because someone can just do that and that's going to throw him off his game like that. I just think it's soft. Nick Kyrgios

Far be it from Kyrgios to let the accusation go unchallenged, the eventual finalist came prepared with a sledge of his own when journalists asked about the incidents.

“The circus was all him today,” said Kyrgios. “I actually felt great. I feel great physically now. I'm ready to go again if I need to play again tomorrow. I just think he's making that match about me, like he's got some serious issues, like serious.

“I'm good in the locker room. I've got many friends, 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.”

Kyrgios appeared especially insulted given his historically good vibes with Tsitsipas, having played doubles in the past, and given his positive comments about his rival on court immediately after the handshake.

“He's that soft, 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.

“If he's affected by that today, then that's what's holding him back, because someone can just do that and that's going to throw him off his game like that. I just think it's soft.”

It was the match that launched 1000 thinkpieces and Twitter diatribes, making their next encounter a can’t-miss affair should it happen in 2023.