Nick Kyrgios changes mind on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal again after loss

Nick Kyrgios changed his mind about the GOAT debate again during the latest instalment of Netflix’s tennis series. The Australian’s run to the Wimbledon final is profiled in part two of Break Point. And he makes a strong statement about Rafael Nadal before their match is called off while describing what it was like to face Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam final.

Kyrgios enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022, picking up his seventh career singles title and winning the Australian Open men’s doubles crown with Thanasi Kokkinakis. But his standout result came at Wimbledon, where the 28-year-old reached his maiden Grand Slam singles final.

The former world No 13’s run is followed in part two of Netflix’s Break Point, which drops this week. In the episodes, Kyrgios appears to change allegiances again as he watches Nadal take on Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final.

With the Australian already through to the semi-final and awaiting the winner, he tells his girlfriend that he would rather face Nadal out of the two. “Yeah honestly, I’ve beaten him before, I feel confident,” he said.

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As Nadal and Fritz’s match goes into a final set match tiebreak, Kyrgios claims that the Spaniard is the GOAT. The 28-year-old said: “Oh my god this is the best tennis I’ve ever seen, he’s the greatest of all time.”

It’s a new take from the seven-time title winner, who has previously thrown his weight behind both Federer and Djokovic. Speaking at the 2021 Australian Open, he said: “In my opinion, I believe Roger is the greatest of all time. With his skill set, the way he plays the game, I think it’s pure. I actually think talent-wise Nadal and Djokovic aren’t even close to Roger.”

But he changed his mind at the end of 2022 when discussing Djokovic’s return to Australia. “Look, he’s the best player in the world in my opinion,” he told 7 News. Kyrgios’ decision to switch between the three players and land on Djokovic seven months ago could be down to his Wimbledon final.

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Nadal was forced to withdraw injured ahead of his semi-final meeting with Kyrgios which put the Aussie straight through to face Djokovic in the championship match. The top 30 player took the opening set but ultimately lost 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3).

During part two of Break Point, Kyrgios describes exactly why his tactics don’t work on the world No 1. “I played lights out. I played the best first set I could possibly have played,” he said.

“He’s so mentally in tune with everything. It’s a great start, it’s exactly what I wanted. But I don’t want to be behind against Novak. He kept his composure in certain moments where another player would have started to panic. He didn’t show me.”

Explaining how he felt during the match, he added: “I’m getting nervous, I’ll need to stay focused. He’s calmer. You can’t rush him. He’s more patient. You can’t teach that. It comes from experience.”

But Kyrgios did take the positives, saying: “Got that under my belt now, Wimbledon finalist. I definitely feel more loved and more, like, appreciated. I felt like I belonged there.” And Djokovic hasn’t lost a Grand Slam match since.

He was forced to miss the US Open but won the Australian Open and French Open this season, reaching a record 23rd men’s singles Grand Slam title. He will return to SW19 unbeaten at Major level for more than a year as he bids to extend his record to 24.

Part two of Break Point will be released on Netflix on June 21.

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