Never backwards in coming forwards, Nick Kyrgios has now jumped to the defence of Pedro Cachin after an incident in his match with Rafael Nadal.
It was a proud moment for the world number 91 who was taking on Nadal for the very first time.
The Argentine player gave a really good account of himself during the defeat in the last 32, losing 1-6, 7-6, 6-3.
To take Nadal to three sets on the surface that he’s a master on is seriously good and he can take heart from his showing at the Madrid Open.
After the game, there was an incident between Cachin and Nadal that has divided opinion – and now Kyrgios has weighed in.
Nick Kyrgios takes swipe at journalist to defend Pedro Cachin
He has his critics but it’s hard not to like Kyrgios. The Australian is a character and in any sport, they are needed.
Now, he’s weighed into the argument over something that Cachin did after his defeat at the hands of Nadal yesterday.
When the players met for the customary handshake at the net, the Argentine asked – very politely – if he could have a souvenir from Nadal.
The 14-time French Open winner gave him a shirt but tennis journalist David Law criticised Cachin.
He said on X: “Sorry Pedro, asking for your opponent’s shirt at the net ain’t it.”
Kyrgios doesn’t agree and he wasn’t afraid to take a swipe at Law as he defended Cachin for his request for Nadal.
He replied: “Why? NBA players and soccer players do it all the time? It’s a memory, an experience that took a lifetime of work and that less than 1% of humans get to. You wouldn’t understand.”
Kyrgios is right to defend Cachin act
With Nadal set to bow out this year, Cachin probably knew that this might be the last time he gets to grace the court with Nadal.
As a result, we don’t really see any issue with the player asking one of the best ever if he could have a shirt of his as a keepsake.
As Kyrgios correctly points out, these type of things happen in other sports, so why not in tennis?
At the end of the day, it’s not as though Cachin has asked for anyone’s shirt, he’s asked for one from one of the greatest players to ever swing a racquet.
Kyrgios is right to suggest that Law – much like us – simply doesn’t understand the concept.
Until you’ve given blood, sweat and tears to force your way into professional sport, you really can’t comprehend what coming up against someone like Nadal must feel like.
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