Australian tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has been criticized by fans online following his response to Rafael Nadal’s retirement from the sport.
Kyrgios, 29, tweeted on X: “We had our differences, but you were a great warrior. Best wishes and good luck with all that is yet to come.”
And it didn’t take long for an avalanche of criticism to target the polarizing star.
‘We had our differences?? You are literally a disgrace to the sport and the world,” one fan groused.
Another posted in response: ‘Are you really putting yourself and Nadal in the same sentence?
A third cheekily weighed in: “Him [Nadal] was a champion, unlike you.”
A fourth said: ‘He doesn’t even know who you are.’
Kyrgios had some fantastic matches and fourth meetings with Nadal, dating back to their first match at Wimbledon a decade ago, when the boy from Canberra first made his international name with a stunning four-set win.
Australian tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has been criticized by fans online following his response to Rafael Nadal confirming his retirement from the sport
An angry tennis fan called Nick Kyrgios a ‘disgrace to the sport and the world’
Another felt Nadal was ‘a champion’ and the Australian star was a ‘clown’ in comparison
Many tennis supporters quickly expressed their anger towards Kyrgios on X (photo)
Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal have had disagreements for more than a decade (photo, at Indian Wells in 2022)
In 2014, baby-faced Nick Kyrgios announced himself to the tennis world by beating Nadal in four sets at Wimbledon (photo)
They then had an infamous Mexico Open bust-up in 2019 when Kyrgios complained that Nadal was taking too long between serves and the Spaniard then infuriated the Australian by saying he has ‘no respect for the crowd, the rival and for themselves.’
Even though Kyrgios hit the ball straight at Nadal’s chest during another Wimbledon match in 2019 and would not later apologise, the underlying respect was clear as the Australian spoke of his regret in 2022 that the Spaniard had to withdraw injured for the Wimbledon semi-final. final.
“Rafa is not retiring, I want to play you one more time,” Kyrgios, who has lost six of their nine matches, wrote on X overnight.
‘Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woken me up about Rafa. I’m going to miss them. This was someone I was preparing for. “He was a motivation – I think an inspiration. F*** – it’s true – people get the best of you. You were one of those people.”
Meanwhile, Nadal’s great rival Roger Federer led the tributes, saying: ‘What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It was an absolute honor!’
Carlos Alcaraz, with whom Nadal hopes to win the Davis Cup with Spain next month, added: “From the child you saw on TV who dreamed of becoming a tennis player, to the one who had the immense gift of playing next to you on Roland Garros representing Spain at the Olympic Games!
‘Thank you for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable.’
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner said: “It’s difficult news for the entire tennis world, and not just the tennis world. He’s an incredible person.’
Nadal, 38, turned professional in 2001 and has won 92 singles titles at ATP level.
At the French Open on clay, Nadal was virtually unbeatable and won no fewer than 14 grand slams at Roland Garros.
He also won the US Open four times, plus Wimbledon twice and the Australian Open.