11-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal has played down any conflict between him and Nick Kyrgios by saying his comments about the Australian player was suffered in translation.
The two locked horns on the court last week at the Mexican Open in Acapulco. During what was a tense match, Kyrgios saved three match points before prevailing in three sets. Shortly after their second round clash, Nadal was quoted in his press conference as saying that his opponent “lacks respect for the public, the opponent and for himself.”A comment that prompted a fiery response from Kyrgios.
“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.’”
Speaking to reporters in Indian Wells on Wednesday, Nadal has now clarified his remarks. Saying that he wasn’t annoyed by Kyrgios’ decision to hit an underarm serve during their match, which is a perfectly legal action. However, the Spaniard believes there is room for improvement.
“I never said nothing too negative about Nick, even if he took it more personally,” Nadal told reporters.
“I understand this part of the game and I think it’s a good show for the game, but there’s other stuff in my opinion he can do better.”
Kyrgios is renowned for his at times controversial behaviour on the tour with numerous allegations of tanking. Previously serving a brief ban from the sport in 2016 for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Shanghai Masters that year. In June he was fined more than $17,000 for making a lewd gesture during the Fever-Tree Championships in London.
“Everybody is free to do whatever they want, but at end of the day, in my opinion, he has an impact on the new generations,” Nadal said. “He’s young, he’s a famous player and in my opinion we need to show good values for the kids.”
Kyrgios went on to win the Mexican Open last week after scoring three wins over top 10 players. Following the final, the 23-year-old said he hoped to inspire others with his return from numerous problems with injury.
Be kind to yourself pic.twitter.com/VXr5KVmI8G
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 7, 2019
This year, Nadal is seeded second at the BNP Paribas Open. A tournament he won on three previous occasions with the last occurring back in 2013. It will be only his third event since returning to action following a four-month injury related hiatus. He missed the tournament last year due to a right hip injury.
“There are too many issues that have happened to my body over the past year-and-a-half, but I’ve managed it well to still be competitive and still be fighting for the most important events,” atptour.com quoted him as saying. “This is an important part of the season for me…[so] that’s important for my mental health, too, to feel that I’m competitive when I’m ready to play.”
Nadal, who has a first round bye, will play either Jared Donaldson or Japanese qualifier Tatsuma Ito in his opening match.