Nick Kyrgios lost to Rafael Nadal in the second round of Wimbledon on Thursday after four intense sets filled with head-turning moments. (Reuters)When Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal faced off in a second round “grudge” match at Wimbledon on Thursday, there was no shortage of drama. Kyrgios did ultimately fall to the Nadal, losing the match 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, but there was plenty to talk about even after the game was over.
There were incredible rallies and drop shots, an under-arm ace, ice cold stares and a live call on Instagram that ensured the four-setter was among the most talked about in this year’s Wimbledon.
?? Electrifying all afternoon…
Sit back, relax and enjoy the very best of @RafaelNadal vs @NickKyrgios#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/02lOwdv3Xq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2019
UNDER-ARM GRACE:
After losing a challenge on his first serve during the first set, Kyrgios blasted a 143mph (230kph) second serve-ace. Unsettling Nadal with the ferocity of the shot. Then Kyrgios followed it up with a gentle under-arm ace.
When Centre Court met the underarm ace…
We all knew this was coming, didn’t we?#Wimbledon | @NickKyrgios pic.twitter.com/0gzovjH4bp
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2019
Nadal shook his head in disbelief, and picked up the ball from inside his court with a smile on his face. Earlier this year, he had a taste of the same from Kyrgios in the Mexican Open at Acapulco in March.
KYRGIOS vs UMPIRE:
The Australian also had a go at the umpire, Damien Dumusois, during the match and complained about the amount of time his opponent was taking between the serves.
“It’s stupid. Nah, don’t talk to me. You’re so biased. These dudes take 40 seconds between every serve. Don’t tell me to play within the rules if he doesn’t play within the rules,” he told the umpire.
#Kyrgios having a go at the umpire ?? pic.twitter.com/YXchbg8gtr
— Lindiwe Suttle (@lindiwesuttle) July 4, 2019
Kyrgios was warned by Dumusois for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after his deliberate forehand into Nadal’s chest, which hurt the 2019 French Open champion. But Kyrgios didn’t let up and said, “Bro, you’re no one in the scheme of things. You feel like you’re important, it’s very cute. You have no idea what’s going on. You’re a disgrace.”
This is not the first time that the fiery Australian has gone overboard with his complaints to the match officials. Last month he was fined almost $20,000 (£15,700) for accusing a line-judge of “match-rigging” during a first-round Queen’s Club Championships clash with Roberto Carballes Baena.
PRESS-CONFERENCE TO REMEMBER:
After the match the seated crowd rose to applaud both tennis players, but Kyrgios still had more to offer during the post-match press conference. The first question that he faced as soon as he sat down before a sea of reporters, he was asked whether his trip to a pub the night before the match had affected his game.
Sporting a poker face, the Australian replied to the reporter, “No, and you look way too excited to ask that question. You must have a really boring life.”
Although, he did lighten up the mood like he did in his first-round match against Jordan Thompson when he joked about his serve while the match was going on, when he recognised another reporter from the pub that he had gone to on Wednesday night.
In his post-match press conference, Nick Kyrgios recognises a reporter from the pub. Warms the heart. pic.twitter.com/GtMhdumzo0
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) July 4, 2019
He was short of patience and almost crude in his reply when asked about the incident of targeting the 33-year-old Spaniard’s body during the match. “Why would I apologise? I won the point? I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank? I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I’m not going to apologise to him at all,” he said.
“Yeah, I was going for him. Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he’s got decent hands,” he continued sarcastically.
But, he did end the press-conference by showing sportsmanship by appreciating his opponent’s brilliance.
“At the end of the day, it’s tennis, man. Is it really that important?”@NickKyrgios talks Rafa’s impressive game and how he enjoys doing things his own way. pic.twitter.com/4HlQvKcxvK
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 5, 2019
BROTHERLY MISCHIEF ON INSTAGRAM:
After getting over with the honest press-conference, he had joined his brother Christos Kyrgios on an Instagram Live while drinking, where Christos unabashedly abused his brother’s opponent, Nadal by name-calling him.
Kyrgios, even admitted to mocking Nadal at several times during the game on the video. “Bro every time he hit a good shot, I turned to my box and was like ‘yep, goodbye Ralf’,” Kyrgios said.
Within 24 hours of the match itself, Kyrgios showed how he can live upto his reputation of being eccentric, but his talent was also for everyone to see, most of all, Rafael Nadal. The 18-time-Grand Slam winner was full of praise for Kyrgios in his post-match conference.
“It’s true that things can be completely different for him if he wants to play all the matches the same way that he tried today.”@RafaelNadal gets candid about Nick Kyrgios’ playing style and the potential that he could have. pic.twitter.com/AuOiyqmDAY
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 5, 2019
Kyrgios’ ability to go toe-to-toe with the World No. 2 even impressed the tennis greats like Boris Becker and Mats Wilander. Despite his exit in the second round, he is not done yet at Wimbledon, as he still has a first round mixed doubles clash with American partner Desirae Krawczyk, against the pair of Jennifer Brady and Marcus Daniell out on Court 18 late on Friday.
