Nick Kyrgios reveals what he did to unsettle Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer that was ‘different’ to other players

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Nick Kyrgios was a tricky prospect for many players on the ATP Tour.

This is not only due to his power and creativity on court, but also his ability to create controversial moments or ruffle his opponents’ feathers.

There have been several moments in which the Australian has lost his cool either at the chair umpire, his team or tennis racket.

But now the former world number 13 has explained the reason for some of his antics on court, especially when he faced the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Why did Nick Kyrgios try to unsettle players like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal?

For all the talent Nick Kyrgios possesses, the focus was sometimes diverted from that due to some of his on and off court antics.

For example, during a match against Stan Wawrinka in 2015, Kyrgios made a lewd comment regarding Thanasi Kokkinakis and the Swiss player’s girlfriend at the time, WTA star Donna Vekic.

During a talkSPORT interview, Kyrgios explained why he caused controversy on court, especially when he played the all-time greats like Federer and Nadal.

“Sometimes, you know, I look at, you know, Novak, Nadal, or Federer, like, how was I supposed to beat these guys in a fair and square, clean battle? It was never gonna happen, so I had to figure out other ways, you know,” the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up said.

“I knocked over Nadal’s water bottles. You know how he puts them out? Like, I knocked it over before, you know, I was talking to myself, every change of ends against Federer, trying to get these guys, maybe thinking something different.

“Because if I tried to go out there and be well behaved, I was never gonna beat them. So I do try and bring them back to, I guess my level, the human level, because these guys are gods.

“It’s not sledging, but it’s just trying to do something different that they haven’t experienced before. Maybe I needed a little bit more of that in the final of Wimbledon, but I tried to be too well behaved and I didn’t win.”

Nick Kyrgios will not be playing at Wimbledon but he has a new job covering the tournament

Kyrgios was not named as a member of BBC’s punditry team for Wimbledon, much to his disappointment.

But during his interview on Thursday it was confirmed that he will co-present a half-hour programme on each day of the Championships alongside Gordon Smart.

According to The Times, Kyrgios will also feature on talkSPORT’s morning coverage throughout the tournament.

Following the news that Kyrgios would not be part of the team, he said: “It’s unfortunate but it’s probably their loss more than mine.

“When someone’s beaten Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and has incredible insights, it’s very strange you wouldn’t want them adding knowledge.”