‘When he’s doing the other stuff I don’t like it’ – Rafael Nadal gives thoughts on Nick Kyrgios
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.
RELATED: ‘It was impossible to sleep’ – Rafael Nadal admits Roger Federer epic kept him engrossed
“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.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French OpenFormer French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova out of Roland Garros after undergoing ‘small surgery’
Marketa Vondrousova withdraws from French Open.
-
WimbledonExplainer – Why Wimbledon’s Russian and Belarusian ban has caused a crisis at the heart of tennis
The decision from Wimbledon and the LTA to ban Russian and Belarusian players has divided opinion.
-
Tennis NewsStefanos Tsitsipas praises ‘great champion’ Novak Djokovic: ‘He’s like a Formula 1 car’
Stefanos Tsitsipas lavish in his praise of Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis NewsCarlos Alcaraz on his big goal: ‘I am clear about my dream, which is to be No 1 in the world’
Carlos Alcaraz dreams of becoming world No 1 and he’s not shy of saying it in public.
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu on rotating coaches: ‘People might look at me like I’m crazy but I trust my decision-making’
Emma Raducanu trusting her own process.
-
WTA TourWTA calendar update: Guadalajara to host WTA 1000 event as China remains absent from schedule
Changes to the 2022 WTA calendar.
-
French OpenIga Swiatek hailed as ‘the boss’ as French Open chief Amelie Mauresmo praises ‘new era’ in women’s tennis
Iga Swiatek steering women’s tennis into a new era.
-
French OpenFrench Open news: Home hopes dented with Gael Monfils withdrawal
French No 1 Gael Monfils has withdrawn from the Lyon Open and Roland Garros.
-
NewsATP finally make a decision on Queen’s and Eastbourne – but Wimbledon are still waiting
Russian and Belarusian players were last month banned from competing at Wimbledon.
-
ATP TourJo-Wilfried Tsonga’s Lyon farewell ends in heartbreaking first round loss
It ends early for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Lyon.