Nick Kyrgios explains how he once truly felt about the now retired Rafael Nadal.
The Australian and the 22-time Grand Slam champion produced some intense and hotly-contested battles during their careers.
Nick Kyrgios has never been afraid to say how he feels and there was a time he and the great Spaniard did not see eye to eye.
But the 29-year-old’s respect has certainly grown for the former World number one over the years and he issued a touching message on social media in the buildup to Rafael Nadal’s retirement.
Nick Kyrgios explains why he ‘used to hate’ Rafael Nadal
Kyrgios made a name for himself when he defeated Nadal at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships.
He stunned the two-time winner at SW19 as a teenager to reach the quarter-finals. Kyrgios always saved his best tennis for whatever he played the 14-time French Open winner.
During an appearance on the Nothing Major Podcast, the former World number 13 explained he was always motivated to play his best against Nadal because he simply did not like him.
“I couldn’t stand him. I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around. He was one guy who always motivated me,” Kyrgios admitted.
“If I played him I would get up for it and try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. I didn’t feel that anger towards Roger or Novak when I played them.
“If I played Rafa, because everyone in our academies back home idolised him, they were like he is such a hard worker, he’s this and that. I was like I can’t stand this guy. I wanted to show people you could just have fun and be chilled and beat people like that.”
What is Nick Kyrgios head-to-head record with Rafael Nadal?
Between 2014 and 2022, Nadal and Kyrgios played each other on nine occasions.
The Spaniard retired with the upper hand in their head-to-head rivalry, winning six of those matches, including their last battle at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters.
Their most intense battle came at Wimbledon in 2019, after Kyrgios struck Nadal with the ball during the contest. The Spaniard glared menacingly at this opponent before going on to win 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3).
Kyrgios, whose victories over Nadal came at Wimbledon, Cincinnati and Acapulco, has since changed his view on Nadal, and praised the icon for his abilities and contributions to tennis.
“Did you see that tribute they played for him at the Davis Cup? I got a bit emotional for him,” Kyrgios added. “He had a hell of a career. I don’t think we will ever see someone as dominant as him on the clay, there’s no way. I don’t think it’s possible.”
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