‘When he’s doing the other stuff I don’t like it’ – Rafael Nadal gives thoughts on Nick Kyrgios

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Rafael Nadal press conference

Rafael Nadal has admitted that ‘of course he doesn’t like’ Nick Kyrgios, but believes the Australian could be a hugely positive force for tennis if he wants to be.

Nadal and Kyrgios have something of a rocky past, with Kyrgios upsetting the world number one by what he perceived as a show of ‘disrespect’ last season by serving underarm to him in a match in Acapulco.

The feud was furthered by comments from Kyrgios, who described Nadal as ‘super-salty’ in defeat.

And, ahead of a potential clash at the Australian Open, Nadal was not overly kind about Kyrgios when asked by reporters if he liked him.

“I don’t know. I don’t know him personally, honestly, to have a clear opinion.

“It’s clear, of course, that when he does stuff that in my opinion is not good, I don’t like.

“When he plays good tennis and shows passion for this game, he is a positive player for our tour, and I want my tour bigger, not smaller.

“So the players who make the tour bigger are important.

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“When he’s ready to play his best tennis and play with passion, he is one of those guys.

“When he’s doing the other stuff, of course, I don’t like it.”

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