Nick Kyrgios explains how he once really felt about the now-retired Rafael Nadal.
The Australian and 22-time Grand Slam champion has had some intense and competitive matches throughout his career.
Nick Kyrgios has never been afraid to say how he feels, but there were times when he disagreed with the great Spaniard.
But as the 29-year-old approaches Rafael Nadal’s retirement, respect for the former world number one has certainly grown over the years, with him issuing a touching message on social media.
Nick Kyrgios explains why he ‘used to hate’ Rafael Nadal
Kyrgios made a name for himself by defeating Nadal at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships.
He advanced to the quarter-finals by overwhelming the two-time SW19 champion as a teenager. Kyrgios always saved his best tennis against the 14-time French Open champion.
Appearing on the Nothing Major podcast, the former world No. 13 explained that his motivation to always give his all against Nadal was simply because he didn’t like him.
“I couldn’t stand him. When I saw him walking around, I hated him so much and despised him. He was the guy who always motivated me,” Kyrgios said. admitted.
“If I’m playing against him, I’m going to be prepared for it and try to play the best tennis that I can play. When I played Roger and Novak, I didn’t feel that much anger towards Roger and Novak. I didn’t.
“If I played Rafa, everyone in the academy back home worshiped him, so they thought he was a very hard worker and he was this and that. I just wanted to have fun, stay calm and show people that I can beat people like that.”
What is the match record between Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal?
Between 2014 and 2022, Nadal and Kyrgios faced off nine times.
The Spaniard retired with an advantage in head-to-head matches, winning six of those matches, including his last fight at the Indian Wells Masters in 2022.
The most intense battle between the two came at Wimbledon in 2019, after Kyrgios hit Nadal with the ball during the match. The Spaniard gave his opponent a menacing glare before winning 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3).
Kyrgios, who beat Nadal at Wimbledon, Cincinnati and Acapulco, has since changed his view of Nadal, praising his ability and contribution to tennis.
“Did you see that tribute they played for him in the Davis Cup? I got a little emotional about him,” Kyrgios added. “He had a great career. I don’t think I’ll ever see a player as dominant as him on clay again, I don’t think that’s possible.”
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