Aussie tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has been blasted by fans online following his reaction to Rafael Nadal‘s retirement from the sport.
Kyrgios, 29, tweeted on X: ‘We had our differences but you were one hell of a warrior. Best wishes and good luck with whatever comes next.’
And it didn’t take long for an avalanche of criticism to be directed at the polarising star.
‘We had our differences ?? You are literally a disgrace to the sport and the world,’ fumed one fan.
Another posted in response: ‘Are you really putting yourself and Nadal in the same sentence?
A third brutally weighed in with: ‘He [Nadal] was a champion, unlike you.’
A fourth said: ‘He doesn’t even know who you are.’
Kyrgios had some tremendous matches as well as celebrated run-ins with Nadal, stretching back to their first clash at Wimbledon 10 years ago when the kid from Canberra first made an international name for himself with a stunning four-set victory.
Aussie tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has been blasted by fans online following his reaction to Rafael Nadal confirming he is retiring from the sport
One irate tennis fan labelled Nick Kyrgios a ‘disgrace to the sport and the world’
Another felt Nadal was ‘a champion’ and the Aussie star was a ‘clown’ in comparison
Many tennis supporters were quick to vent their fury towards Kyrgios on X (pictured)
Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal have had their differences dating back more than a decade (pictured, at Indian Wells in 2022)
In 2014, a baby-faced Nick Kyrgios announced himself to the tennis world by beating Nadal in four sets at Wimbledon (pictured)
Subsequently, they had an infamous Mexico Open bust-up in 2019 when Kyrgios complained about Nadal taking too long between serves and the Spaniard infuriated the Australian afterwards by saying he ‘lacks respect for the public, the rival and towards himself.’
Even though Kyrgios smashed the ball straight at Nadal’s chest in another Wimbledon clash in 2019 and wouldn’t apologise later, the underlying respect was obvious when the Aussie talked of his regret in 2022 that the Spaniard had to pull out injured before their Wimbledon semi-final.
‘Rafa don’t retire I wanna play you 1 last time,’ Kyrgios, who lost six of their nine matches, wrote on X overnight.
‘Damn. I’ve had nightmares that have woke 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. F*** – it’s true – people do bring the best out 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’s been an absolute honour!’
Carlos Alcaraz, with whom Nadal hopes to win the Davis Cup with Spain next month, added: ‘From the child who watched you on TV and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing alongside you at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympic Games!
‘Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable.’
World No.1 Jannik Sinner said: ‘It’s tough news for all the tennis world, and not only the tennis world. He’s an unbelievable person.’
Nadal, 38, turned pro in 2001 and went onto win 92 ATP-level singles titles.
At the French Open on clay Nadal was virtually unbeatable, winning a staggering 14 grand slams at Roland Garros.
He also won the US Open on four occasions plus Wimbledon and the Australian Open twice.
