Is this the 'disrespectful' Nick Kyrgios act that angered Rafa Nadal?
Rafael Nadal sensationally claimed Nick Kyrgios needed to show more respect, but what was he referring to?
Kyrgios displayed some of his best form when beating Nadal in a tight three-setter at the Mexican Open on Wednesday in Acapulco, but the high-quality spectacle didn’t translate into positive words for the former world No.13.
There were several flashpoints in the match, most notably a strange moment in the third set when Kyrgios attempted an underarm serve.
Nadal was standing so far behind the baseline to receive that Kyrgios figured he’d effectively try a drop shot with a first serve.
The rare tactic is well within the rules, but Nadal seemed ticked off.
Nadal also appeared incensed when Kyrgios complained about the time this year’s Australian Open runner-up was taking between points on the Canberran’s serve.
It prompted Nadal to say in a post-match media conference that Kyrgios should be fighting for grand slams under the No.1 ranking but “lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself”.
Some fans suggested the underarm serve was the catalyst for Nadal’s criticism.
I have NEVER seen Rafa not dedicate time & care to the handshake and be anything but respectful to his opponents. Read EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE into that. Did the absolute bare minimum – kinda like Kyrgios does in his respect every match. Underarm serves? Seriously? 💩 https://t.co/dh4mo1laqV
— maddie (@_maddie_) February 28, 2019
Wait, Kyrgios sends Nadal an underarm serve and we’re out here saying Nadal’s handshake was disrespectful?
— Dan Hatch 🎾 (@Daniel_Hatch) February 28, 2019
An underarm serve against Rafa!!?! I actually read (on Instagram yesterday) someone suggested to NK to do this, but I honestly never thought he’d stoop so low as to actually do it. And he wonders why people hate him (I’m referring to the entire list below). #Kyrgios #Nadal https://t.co/hEgaEVpk07
— Cornish Bird (@BirdCornish) February 28, 2019
Underarm serve from Kyrgios, serving when Rafa wasn’t ready and complaining about it etc
— Olly (@Olly_ATP_2019) February 28, 2019
However the vast majority believed Kyrgios was well within his rights.
The much talked-about underarm serve by Nick Kyrgios landed out – but hopefully this is not the first and only time this season we see an opponent of Rafael Nadal try it. https://t.co/MpfvFSH3oC
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 28, 2019
This underarm serve from Kyrgios was a delight even though it didn't work https://t.co/1A7xbm63AD
— P a t r i c e (@dramarogi) February 28, 2019
I don’t understand why people complain about Kyrgios being disrespectful to Nadal because he performed an underarm serve when Nadal was standing 100 meters away from the baseline
I see it more as a strategy thing and that way of serving is completely legal.
I would have done it.— Tadeo™ (@TadeoRuggiero) February 28, 2019
Who blames kyrgios when goes for the underarm serve? (Guy in purple is nadal, not a line judge) pic.twitter.com/StVK4M72vl
— FedExpress #20 (@TennisPhan2) February 28, 2019
The funniest thing about the underarm serve (apart from it missing) is that, had it gone in, Nadal would have got to it with ease, even from his deep position. Pretty sure Nadal would love it if he faced more underarm serves vs huge Kyrgios bombs. https://t.co/1XdKV9Yj67
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) February 28, 2019
No wonder Kyrgios slipped in the underarm serve – not disrespectful at all, a legitimate tactic considering where Nadal stands on return of serve #tennis #AMT2019 https://t.co/9BioTalpOt
— Neil Daly (@NeilWDaly) February 28, 2019
Don't understand the crowd booing Kyrgios for the underarm serve AT ALL. Legitimate tactic if Nadal is gonna return from Oaxaca #acapulcoopen #Kyrgios #ATPTour
— Jeff McMillan (@j_j_j_t_m) February 28, 2019
Kyrgios hits back
Responding after Nadal’s comments, Kyrgios seemed non-plussed.
“I’m different. Rafa’s different. He can focus on what he needs to do,” Kyrgios said.
“He doesn’t know the journey I’ve been through. He doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all.”
Kyrgios, one of the fastest players on tour between points, then took aim at Nadal, who is among the slowest.
“It’s the way I play. It’s the way he plays – he’s very slow between points and I think that the rule in the book is that you have to play to the speed of the server but Rafa has the speed every time,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m not going to comment on him, his game. I’ve got my game; he’s got his own game. We played well – that’s the sport. People are different – I’m not going to take that into consideration at all.”
with AAP