Nick Kyrgios blunt response to fair or unfair action when hitting Rafael Nadal in 2019

Wimbledon: Kyrgios reveals that he aimed a ball at Nadal

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Nick Kyrgios has reignited the debate surrounding a controversial action during his second-round match against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2019. The Aussie famously blasted a forehand at the two-time Wimbledon champion, later admitting he “wanted to hit him”. He has now defended the shot in an Instagram Story more than two years later.

Kyrgios and Nadal have experienced something of a frosty rivalry in the past, as the 26-year-old previously called the Spaniard “salty”, while Nadal has condemned Kyrgios’ antics including underarm serves in the past.

They had already played a tense three-setter at the ATP 250 in Acapulco earlier that year, which was won by the Aussie 3-6 7-6(2) 7-6(6) after he saved three match points on the way to the round of 16 victory, before going on to win the title.

The encounter in Mexico was the first time Kyrgios started to turn the underarm serve into one of his trademark shots, and the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he thought his opponent “lacked respect” after introducing unusual shots and saying he felt “sick” after dropping the first set.

“I don’t think he’s a bad guy, not at all. I think he’s a good guy, but what he lacks is a little respect for the public, for his rival, and also for himself. I think he should improve that. Today we have to say congratulations, he was good and he won,” the current world No 6 said after his loss to Kyrgios.

JUST IN: Djokovic, Federer and Nadal retirement outlook given

The pair faced off just over four months later on the grass courts of the All England Club in an early second-round encounter after the Australian’s ranking had dropped out of a seeding spot.

The current world No 93 brought the underarm serve back in the grudge match, but it was one forehand that earned him criticism from pundits and Nadal himself.

While they were tied at one-set-all, Nadal was serving at 4-4 40-15 when he approached the net with a forehand up the line.

Instead of playing the ball past his opponent, the 26-year-old took the opportunity to fire a forehand directly at the Spaniard, as Nadal had no choice but to stick his racket out in defence, then firing a cold stare at the Australian over the net.

DON’T MISS
Biden to ‘announce’ Beijing Winter Olympics boycott amid Shuai fears
Emma Raducanu won’t be the only big name to miss BBC SPOTY awards
Djokovic fails Davis Cup quest as WTA cuts ties with China over Peng

Following the match, won by Nadal in four sets, the Wimbledon 2019 third seed slammed Kyrgios for his “dangerous” actions, saying: “I don’t say Nick does this stuff to bother the opponent, but [it] is true that sometimes he’s dangerous. When he hit the ball like this, [it] is dangerous.

“[It] is not dangerous for me, [it] is dangerous for a line referee, dangerous for a crowd. When you hit the ball like this, you don’t know where the ball goes.”

Meanwhile, the former world No 13 had no problem in admitting he was purposefully trying to his his opponent, telling reporters: “Why would I apologise? I won the point. I was going for him. I wanted to hit him.

“The dude has got how many Slams, how much money in the bank account? I think he can take a ball to the chest.”

And now more than two years later, Kyrgios has once again defended his actions in an Instagram story after a tennis fan account posted a Reel video of the point, writing: “Fair or unfair?”

“Very fair in my opinion,” the world No 93 wrote, as he shared the clip to his story.

The underarm serves and forehand shot at Nadal weren’t the only controversial Kyrgios moment during the infamous Wimbledon 2019 encounter either.

The Aussie hit out at umpire Damien Dumusois after accusing him or not doing anything about the time Nadal was taking between points.

“Wow, you’ve got so much power up there,” Kyrgios told the French chair umpire, receiving a code violation but continuing his tirade as he said: “Look at you. Look at you. You’re no one. You think you’re important. You have no idea what’s going on. You’re a disgrace.”

Source: Read Full Article