Kyrgios's brutal confession about Nadal: "I hated him, he motivated me to give my best"

Carlos Navarro | 19 Dec 2024 | 15.45

Kyrgios and Nadal, after their meeting at Indian Wells 2022.

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The confrontations between Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal, especially in the early years of the Australian's career, became true classics of the circuit. The significant contrast in personalities and ways of understanding the sport caused sparks to fly in each of their encounters, something that Nick himself noticed from the very beginning. The reason? As he confessed on the Nothing Major podcast, the motive was nothing more than the antipathy Rafa stirred in him at that time, a feeling that faded over the years.

"I couldn't stand him. I hated him, I couldn't bear it every time I saw him walking. He was someone who always motivated me: when facing him, I would get up from bed thinking that I had to play my best tennis to beat him. I never felt that anger towards Federer or Novak when I played against them. I remember that at home, all the kids from the academies said he was a hard worker, that he was this and that... and I thought: 'I can't stand him'. I wanted to show the world that you could have fun, play relaxed, and beat people like that", Kyrgios pointed out in statements that contrast greatly with what he tweeted after Rafa's farewell, acknowledging his legacy and acknowledging that he inspired many people in the tennis world.

Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woken me up about Rafa ☹️ I’m gonna miss them. This was someone that I used to prepare for ☹️ he was a motivation - I guess an inspiration. Fuck - it’s true- people do bring the best out of you. You were one of those people 🙏🏽 damn…..
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 10, 2024