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Nick Kyrgios refuses to retire from a match against Rafael Nadal for fear of media reaction

Rafael Nadal did not hold back in his assessment of Nick Kyrgios accusing the Australian of a total lack of respect after their incredible clash in Mexico.

Leo Schlink
2 min read
March 1, 2019 - 7:05AM
Nick Kyrgios at the Mexican Open
Nick Kyrgios at the Mexican Open

Even by Nick Kyrgios’ extreme standards, the miraculous Mexico Open victory over Rafael Nadal stands as his most outrageous ATP Tour win.

Pitted against 17-time grand slam champion Nadal, Kyrgios carried spectators – and viewers around the world – on a rollercoaster of emotion and drama for more than three hours before downing the mighty Spaniard.

But the performance didn’t meet with everyone’s admiration.

Nadal served up a verbal lashing, saying Kyrgios “lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself”.

Nick Kyrgios stunned the top seed in an incredible match.
Nick Kyrgios stunned the top seed in an incredible match.

“I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but he lacks a little respect for the public and the rival.

“He is a very dangerous player but lacks consistency.”

With both knees bandaged, Kyrgios complained of sickness and considered retiring after dropping the first set.

“I feel sick…if I forfeit, the media will blow it up…I’ll be booed off the court,” he was heard telling a trainer.

“I’m gonna to try to play a couple of more games.”

His persistence, a quality critics rarely associate with the firebrand, paid off in spades as he conjured an improbable triumph.

Seemingly unfazed by Nadal’s assessment, Kyrgios said: “I’m different, Rafa’s different.

“He doesn’t know the journey I have been through. He doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all.

“That’s the way I play. He’s very slow in between points. The rule in the book says you have to play at the speed of the server. Rafa has the speed every time.

“I’m not going to comment on his game. He has got his game and I have got mine.”

The Australian later took to Instagram posting both his and Nadal’s comments captioned “This man needs extra salt I swear.”

Nick Kyrgios fought back from the brink to win.
Nick Kyrgios fought back from the brink to win.

Despite needing another medical time-out on his back, being jeered for hitting an underarm serve, receiving a code violation and trailing 3-6 in the third set tiebreak, Kyrgios prevailed.

And was booed again as he baited a pro-Nadal crowd in Acapulco by cocking a finger behind his ear as he was heckled post-match.

Kyrgios saved nine set points, and twice wobbled at 0-40 on serve in the deciding set.

Kyrgios clubbed 39 winners to Nadal’s 17, but made 58 unforced errors to the Spaniard’s 49 in a contest of searing contrasts.

The victory was Kyrgios’ third in six attempts against Nadal and his first over a top-5 player since downing Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane last year.

Kyrgios will next face Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka.

AUSSIES IN ACTION

Australia’s John Millman is through to the quarterfinals of the after an emphatic straight sets victory over German Peter Gojowczyk in Acapulco.

Millman blitzed the world No.87 6-0 6-2, at one stage winning eight games in succession.

The world No.44 converted six break points and delivered the contest’s only two aces to set up a quarter-final clash with third-seed John Isner. Big-serving American Isner eliminated compatriot Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4. Millman’s win was his second comfortable triumph - the eighth seed beat Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-4 in the opening round.

Fifth seed Alex de Minaur boosted Australia’s presence in the quarter-finals when Feliciano Lopez (Spain) withdrew before their second round match.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-refuses-to-retire-from-a-match-for-fear-of-media-reaction/news-story/5c6207aab9a144a2421c015cf075ff0a