Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has been criticised for making “deeply uncomfortable” comments to his girlfriend, WTA star Paula Badosa, about her weight.
The controversy began after Tsitsipas posted a series of videos on his Instagram Story during the couple’s trip to Monaco, where he jokingly referred to Badosa as a “hippo” and made comments about her physical condition.
In one clip, Tsitsipas, currently ranked 11th in the world, mentioned that he was forcing Badosa to carry his suitcase up a hill to “earn his lunch.”
He said, “Paula is hungry as always, that’s why I started calling her hippo. I want you to get fit.” That’s the nice way to put it.
“This walk is meant to get you even fitter. I’m using a strategy behind it. Why am I making you walk all over Monaco? I’ll leave the guesswork up to you.”
Another video showed Badosa expressing relief at finally making it to a restaurant, telling Tsitsipas: “I’m going to eat the whole menu. I’m sweating, I’m so tired, I’m starving.”
Tsitsipas replied: “You can eat as much as you want. I’m telling you this because there’s a lot of walking to do afterwards.”
“Are you okay, girls? Please help me,” she pleads into the camera.
Tsitsipas is stone-faced as he insists his tennis star girlfriend Badosa carry his luggage as they walk at a frantic pace while she gives a single-digit answer.
Badosa pleads with the camera after being heckled by the Greek tennis player: ‘Help me, girls’
He continued to mock her as she ate, declaring, “Your name means small and humble, but you are neither of those things. One thing you are not is small. You are quite large. Where is your humility? I have yet to find it.”
Many social media users did not find the exchange funny.
One wrote: ‘Stefanos Tsitsipas’ current series of Instastories, in which he mocks and insults his girlfriend Paula Badosa, are deeply uncomfortable to watch.’
Another commented: “Pro tip: your boyfriend shouldn’t call you a hippo and tell you that you’ve earned the right to eat because you’ll get burned walking around afterwards. What a moron!”
Others defended Tsitsipas, arguing that his comments were intended to be humorous.
One supporter said: ‘They are world-class athletes who motivate each other as they try to balance how much and what they eat and how much exercise they do, all while poking fun at each other and having fun.
‘They both help each other get in shape and train each other. If you don’t understand Stef’s sarcastic humor, then you don’t have to date him.’
Tsitsipas and Badosa were announced as a couple at Wimbledon in 2023 before splitting in May this year and later reuniting.
The controversy comes after Badosa, a former world No. 2, announced earlier this year that she and Tsitsipas had ended their nearly year-long romantic relationship but intended to remain friends.
Despite their split, recent pictures show the couple walking hand in hand in Monaco and enjoying time together.
Tsitsipas has previously faced criticism for his views on gender roles.
One video she shared portrayed men as “providers” and women in more subsidiary roles, which many fans found offensive.
The video, which shows scenes of family life, states: “Men and women are not equal, and that is a blessing. He provides and protects, I (the woman) multiply. He is the head of the family, I am the heart… He provides the ingredients, I prepare the food.”
This video resurfaced following Tsitsipas’ recent comments, in which one fan commented: “It’s crazy when his girlfriend is a working woman… sigh.”
Despite this, Tsitsipas was seen supporting Badosa at Wimbledon, where he posted a loving message after she reached the fourth round, writing: “Proud of you @paulabadosa,” with a heart emoji.
Read more: Stefanos Tsitsipas pens servile 676-word essay attempting to retract comments calling Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios “uneducated” >
