In his own words: Nick Kyrgios describes his amazing win over Rafa Nadal from the warm-up to the celebration

In his exclusive column for the Herald Sun, Nick Kyrgios writes that beating Rafeal Nadal was like a dream he will cherish forever.

Wimbledon, London, UK. 01 July 2014. Nick Kyrgios wins against Rafael Nadal in the fourth round in four sets. Pic. Ella Pellegrini

WHAT can I say? Beating Rafael Nadal on centre court at Wimbledon was like a dream and something I will cherish forever.

Heading on to the most famous court in the world is still a bit of a blur and surreal. It’s every player’s dream to go out there and beat the best in the world. In a way, I can’t believe I’ve done it.

It was an awesome experience from start to finish, from the warm-up to that ace on match point.

I was taken aback by the weight of Rafa’s shots in the warm-up and I think he was intentionally going big to try and assert some authority over me, but I came out and played an awesome first game and the pre-match nerves just drifted away.

I started playing some great tennis and without being disrespectful to Rafa, I really felt I dictated most of the rallies and was able to play the match on my terms.

I’d practised before the match with Alex Bolt, who’s a lefty from South Australia, and he did a really good job of getting me ready.

My serve was on fire and that really set me up for some easy points.

I returned really well and on my backhand side started to take charge of the points off Rafa’s serve.

Rafa is an unreal athlete, a champion and an incredible competitor and he just kept coming at me.

The third set was brutal and I think if he had won that it would have been a hell of a mountain to climb, but I some how weathered the storm and was able to come up big when I needed to.

The support in my box was unreal and having some of my mates from the tour up there as well as my good mate Matt Vozella really pumped me up.

It was important that I stuck to my routine, both during the match and before it.

I went through my usual match-day drill: I hit, then had lunch at Aorangi with juniors Akira Santillan and Brad Mousley, then went through the game plan with my coach Simon Rea before AK (Aaron Kellett) prepared me physically for the match.

I actually had to warm up a couple of times because the Sharapova-Kerber match went so long with lots of twists and turns, but I thought I coped OK hanging in the locker room just waiting to get out there.

Once I got into the match, I felt really comfortable. It was incredible to be on that court with such a great champion.

Closing out the match I was a little tight, but I just told myself to smack it and I could hear Simon telling me to back myself.

I think I did that pretty well with my 37th ace, having started the match with an ace.

I’m just over the moon, but I always believed I could win if I played my game and served well.

Rafa was very generous after the match. He congratulated me and wished me good luck for the rest of the tournament.

There were a few teary eyes around and some massive hugs and plenty of emotion.

Seeing my dad and sister after the match was amazing, and to see them so happy for me was just awesome.

They’ve all sacrificed so much for me and my tennis and this was a great reward and pay back to them, my mum and my brother, not to mention Simon, AK, Anne-Marie and my agent John Morris.

This is just a massive achievement for me and my team and I’m pleased to share it with them.

After all the hugging and emotions, I had a press conference, which can be fun, although I don’t enjoy doing loads of that sort of stuff. The main conference was fun.

Then I ran back to get some treatment from Anne-Marie, while John filled me up with a mountain of sushi.

Whatever happens from here on, I know that if I play well I have a chance of keeping on winning. It’s going to be tough with the great players left in the draw, but the pressure is all on them.

I’ll go out there with a spring in my step knowing that.

I ate at Wagamama’s after the match, sticking to my usual routine and then headed home for some more FIFA with the boys as well as some laundry (who says the tour is glamorous), not that a broken washing machine helps.

It’s going to be tough to wind down after beating Rafa.

Wow, what a day.

Twitter @NickKyrgios