Nick Kyrgios has explained why he used to ‘hate and despise’ tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
The Australian made a name for himself when he defeated the 22-time Grand Slam champion as a teenager in his very first Wimbledon.
Back in 2014, wild card Kyrgios powered to a 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 fourth-round victory against Nadal, who was ranked as World No.1 at the time.
He often saved his best tennis for taking on the now-retired legend, and it seems that motivation came from a genuine hatred of his rival.
Speaking to the Nothing Major podcast this week, Kyrgios revealed why he often didn’t see eye-to-eye with Nadal.
“I couldn’t stand him. I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around,” he explained.
“He was one guy who always motivated me.
“If I played him I would get up for it and try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. I didn’t feel that anger towards Roger (Federer) or Novak (Djokovic) when I played them.
“If I played Rafa, because everyone in our academies back home idolised him, they were like he is such a hard worker, he’s this and that.
“I was like ‘I can’t stand this guy’. I wanted to show people you could just have fun and be chilled and beat people like that.”
Kyrgios and Nadal went head-to-head on nine occasions between 2014 and 2022.
The Spaniard retired with a superior record, winning six of those matches, including their last battle at the Indian Wells Masters in 2022.
Perhaps their most famous clash came at Wimbledon in 2019, when Nadal secured a win against his irate opponent to reach the third round.
During that match, Kyrgios was heard questioning Nadal’s speed of play, arguing with the chair umpire who he later called a ‘disgrace’ and he even unleashed a forehand directly at his opponent’s body.
While they left it all on the court in the heat of battle, it seems Kyrgios has since changed his views on Nadal, and has admitted the tennis icon’s retirement made him a little emotional.
“Did you see that tribute they played for him at the Davis Cup? I got a bit emotional for him,” the Australian admitted.
“He had a hell of a career. I don’t think we will ever see someone as dominant as him on the clay, there’s no way. I don’t think it’s possible.”
Kyrgios, who has been troubled by injuries in recent years, is preparing to return to action at the Brisbane International.
The tournament begins on December 29 and if all goes well, he is set to return to the grand slam stage at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open in January 2025.
