Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic cop a Kyrgios grand slam

Nick Kyrgios has taken aim at tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in a bare-all interview.

Nick Kyrgios returned serve against his critics. Picture: AP

A week ago in Madrid Nick Kyrgios received the jolt that his training regime was dubious compared to that of his peers, and that was by no means the most controversial revelation the Australian made in Italy this week.

Kyrgios has ensured he will be the focus of attention throughout the clay court season after delivering an astonishing critique of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in a podcast. His verdict on the legendary duo, who share 32 grand slam titles between them, is scathing and certain to further polarise perception of him.

Kyrgios declared Djokovic has a “sick obsession wanting to be liked” and described Nadal as “super salty” and far from gracious following a loss to the Canberra resident in Mexico in February. Nadal and his former coach, Toni Nadal, had been heavily critical of Kyrgios following the high-octane clash in Acapulco. Kyrgios hit back, branding the Spaniard’s uncle “an idiot” for querying his education.

Amid the character assassination, Kyrgios said he felt “vexed” by the pair but did say Nadal and Djokovic were “not bad guys” while praising their careers.

How the 24-year-old deals with the subsequent focus will be interesting. To his credit, he opted against putting any “spin” on his answers and acknowledged his response on Nadal could “be dangerous”. As for Djokovic, he paused halfway through to say, “I don’t care right now. I have come this far”, before charging on.

Kyrgios appears carefree about the impact of his critique on Nadal, Djokovic and others such as Fernando Verdasco, whom he clearly despises.

Yet during the same interview on the podcast “No Challenges Remaining”, he says how much he despises the social media response to matches he has tanked or behaved poorly in.

“I don’t like waking up every day and being told ‘This bloke is a wasted talent’,” he said.

When it comes to matches against Djokovic and Nadal, Kyrgios can speak with some authority. Kyrgios, who spoke of his homesickness during the interview, has won both matches against the world No 1 and has split his six encounters with Nadal. His record against the duo and Roger Federer, whom he believes is the greatest ever, is exceptionally good.

It is doubtful Kyrgios’s comments will be assessed by the champions as anything other than clownish and disrespectful.

Of more interest to the Australian’s ability to make the most of his undeniable talent and win a major is his acknowledgment of just how limited his work ethic is in relation to other professionals.

Incredibly, he received a pointer from Bernard Tomic.

Kyrgios teamed with Tomic for a doubles outing and was staggered to see the Queenslander working harder.

“Everyone is so professional compared to me,” he said. “For sure, I do the least amount of work in the top 100. I figured that out the other day when Bernard Tomic was literally doing more than me before our doubles.

“He was hitting more. He went to the gym. I was like, ‘Wow. I have literally become the laziest — or not the laziest — but the person who does the least amount of work on tour’. I never wanted that and that is not how I am trying to be, but I guess it is who I am. I don’t want to take it so seriously.”

The world No 36 confirmed that during his run to the title in Acapulco, where he trumped Andreas Seppi, Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, John Isner and Alexander Zverev, he partied every night.

Kyrgios was travelling without his agent or parents and revealed a schedule of late-night matches and a relaxed atmosphere that included a jet ski outing just hours before the final against Zverev.

While this is contrary to just about every one of his peers when playing for an ATP title and cheque worth $530,000 — perhaps Tomic aside — he did take a modicum of care.

The Australian understands that after a tough semi-final triumph over Isner, he took the step of skolling a water between beers!

The relaxed approach clearly worked in Mexico. But retaining focus over a fortnight and having the fitness to win seven five-set matches in succession is another matter. Irrespective of that, the interview ensured his next outings against Djokovic and Nadal will make for fascinating viewing.