Toni Nadal says Nick Kyrgios’ antics ‘bad for tennis’, but Kyrgios unfazed by criticism

Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal believes Nick Kyrgios’ behaviour is bad for tennis, saying his “attitude is pretty painful”.
Kyrgios is once again the most-talked about player on the ATP Tour this week as he first held an explosive interview with the No Challenges Podcast and branded Rafael Nadal “super salty” and admitted he “doesn’t like” Novak Djokovic.
More controversy was to follow as he exited the Italian Open in disgrace as he smashed a racket, kicked a water bottle and threw a chair before he was defaulted from his match against Casper Ruud.
Although Roger Federer said he felt the Australian should not be suspended, Ruud revealed he’s “not the only one who thinks” Kyrgios should be banned for at least six months.
Toni Nadal also feels he should be penalised, adding that his outbursts are not good for the sport.
“It is bad for tennis and it has entered a dynamic that hurts you. Something is failing, it is not normal, I have seen the images and his attitude is pretty painful,” he told COPE.
He added: “I feel bad for him, but something is failing, the ATP has given him too much hype. He plays very well, but with another mindset he would aspire to be even better. He should make an effort to change.
“It’s hard for him to handle the pressure and the difficulty of the competition. It doesn’t do the sport any good, in the end there is no other option but to penalise him.”
Kyrgios, though, was not perturbed by the criticism as he reacted with an emoji to the story on Twitter, writing “I’ll try and clean up my act”.
I’ll try and clean my act up 😉 https://t.co/IUHXJ9PrhZ
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 17, 2019
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
FEATURE: Meet Roy Erskine, Andy Murray’s grandfather and former professional footballer
-
T365 Recall: When Andy Murray cemented his legacy during brilliant 2016 season
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft on the ‘identity crisis’ facing the women’s game
-
-
Italian Open: Facts and figures about the ATP and WTA tournament
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Exclusive – Former British No 1 insists Novak Djokovic deserves more respect
Novak Djokovic deserves equal billing alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon ranking points decision sparking angry reaction from players
The decision from the ATP and WTA…
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek relaxed as she returns to happy hunting ground
Iga Swiatek says she is prepared for the day her winning streak is broken.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon doubles down on Russian ban despite stripping of ranking points
Wimbledon organisers said they ‘made the only viable decision’.
-
News
Peng Shuai latest: IOC says she is ‘looking forward to visiting Europe’
Peng’s safety and freedom has been a concern since she appeared to allege in a social media post that she had been sexually assaulted.
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu facing huge rankings drop after Wimbledon decision
Djokovic is almost certain to lose his No.1 ranking.
-
Wimbledon
Comment – Why the removal Wimbledon’s ranking points could backfire on the ATP and WTA
Wimbledon has been stripped of its ATP ranking points following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon didn’t want to ‘risk safety of players’ or ‘success being used as propaganda by Russian regime’
Wimbledon has hit back at the ATP and WTA with a statement of their own.
-
Wimbledon
WTA statement as women’s body also strips Wimbledon of ranking points over Russian player ban
WTA also has harsh words for Wimbledon after stripping grass-court major of ranking points.
-
ATP Tour
ATP statement: Wimbledon slammed for ‘undermining integrity of the ATP Ranking system’
ATP unimpressed by Wimbledon.