Australia’s Nick Kyrgios hit back at a suggestion from Rafael Nadal that he is ‘immature’ after stunning the 17-time Grand Slam champion at the Mexican Open.
During what was a roller coaster clash in Acapulco, Kyrgios saved three match points before prevailing 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(6), over the world No.2. During the marathon three hour clash, the 23-year-old fired 21 aces past Nadal. Hitting 58 winners to 49 unforced errors. The victory is Kyrgios’ most high-profile win (in terms of ranking) since defeating Grigor Dimitrov at the 2018 Brisbane International.
“I’ve had a tough year so far. I’ve struggled with some injuries and I haven’t been playing well.” Kyrgios said during his press conference.
“I love coming back to Acapulco. It’s one of my favourite tournaments of the year. I had a good match against Seppi yesterday and I knew that if I won the match I would most likely play against Rafa. I love playing Rafa, he’s an unbelievable champion. I love going out there and playing big matches.”
During the opening set, it was feared that the Australian might be forced to quit. Leading up to the match, Kyrgios has been suffering from food poisoning. Nevertheless, after dropping the opening set he saved all nine break points he faced and battled back from a 3-6 deficit in the decisive tiebreaker by winning five points in a row.
“If I forfeit, the media will blow it up … I’ll be booed off the court,” Kyrgios was heard on TV telling the trainer.
“I’m gonna try to play a couple of more games.”
Nadal, who was playing in his first tournament since the Australian Open, gave a mixed assessment of Kyrgios’ latest performance. It is the first time the Spaniard has failed to reach the quarter-final of a tournament he has played in since the 2017 Canadian Masters (excluding Davis Cup and ATP Finals).
“He is a player who has a huge talent could be winning Grand Slams or fight the first position in the ranking and something is where it is. He lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself,” said Nadal.
‘I’m different to Rafa’
During his press conference, Kyrgios was annoyed by one question that was asked. One journalist quoted Nadal as saying in his meeting with reporters that the former top 20 player can be ‘immature’ at times. Kyrgios in known for his at times controversial behaviour on the tour and was briefly suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct in 2016.
“I’m different, Rafa is different. He can focus on what he needs to do.” Kyrgios responded.
“He doesn’t know the journey I’ve been through, he doesn’t know me. So I’m not going to listen at all.’
“That’s the way I play. That’s the way he plays, he’s very slow between points and the rule of the book says you have to play at the speed of the server. But Rafa has the speed every time. I’m not going to comment on him and his game. I’ve got my game”
“I’m not going to take that (Nadal’s comment) into consideration at all.”
Asked about what he needs to do to get to the top of the sport, Kyrgios admits that he needs to ‘work harder’ and be more disciplined. Paying tribute to all members of the Big Three by saying they are playing at their best ever level.
In the quarter-finals, Kyrgios will take on Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka. The three-time grand slam champion edged out Steve Johnson 7-6(5), 6-4, without dropping his serve. Wawrinka was recently runner-up to Gael Monfils at the Rotterdam Open.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Kyrgios previewed. “Stan is a multiple grand slam champion. He’s an unbelievable player. We have played each other five times before, he has beaten me three times. It’s going to be a good match.”
Kyrgios’ latest win is his 16th over a top 10 player in his career.