Rafael Nadal after losing to Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios:
“When you have an opponent who decides to hit the ball really strong and serve like that you are in trouble. I don’t think that I played badly. I hadn’t seen him playing on the other surfaces, grass is only two three tournaments a year but when you serve that big you will always have a chance. I don’t know if he is a guy I will keep meeting the sport is a mental battle at a times, he has all the qualities but things are always a little easier when you are just arriving. When you are there for a while people start to see the negative things about your tennis. We will see if he can stay at the top level but I wish him all the best.”
“When you have nothing to lose you can play the way he did today. When you are playing in the last rounds, it is harder to hit 140 mph second serves. For him the next round for me the beach. My draw was not the best against a lot of players who cannot give you a chance to play very much. I am not upset that I lost today.”
Source: BBC
@chgharib1
Just my unbiased view, unlike your response, emotionally driven fanboy or girl !
Nadal is declining. Losing to a low ranked player is embarrassing.
When and where is your next Tournament? Malinki Durban RSA
Rafa always the hero even in defeat we love you
I am a huge Rafa fan & also acknowledge great performances from Rafa’s opponents- credit to NK…. That said, Let’s all remember the amazing Grand Slams won by Nadal to date – exceptional record that only most players can dream about!!
Rafa is right once again about Kyrigios. There’s absolutely no pressure when playing
with nothing to lose just starting out. That’s why I wasn’t that impressed with him or his
demeanor. He probably studied Rafa’s patterns and strategies for years. There’s really
no history on his movements because he is so young. He hasn’t fully developed yet.
Who really knows how his career will play out. I just knew he would fizzle out when
facing Milos in the next round. Rafa and all his long-term competitors work so hard
day in and day out to perfect their craft and hang with the big boys. That’s why I also
have so much respect for these up and comers: Grigor, Milos, Kei, etc. They are no flash
in the pan!
Since Rafa and Andy are out. (Felt so badly for Andy today!) I am rooting for Milos and
Grigor to finally break through to the finals. I did feel sorry for Stan not feeling well
against Roger. Stan did play 3 days in a row and Roger didn’t. I certainly hope
Wimbledon equalizes the playing field next year with a day on and day off for everyone
even if it rains.
Glad Rafa is home relaxing at the beach! But I can’t wait for the hard season to
begin. I’ll be watching. Just stay healthy and happy, Rafa!!!
We love you Rafa
Bit late with my comment as ii watched the highlights, but at the END OF THE THIRD SET, NADAL HAD SET POINT AND DIDN’T CHALLENGE a call that was called IN but was OUT (as mentioned by the Commentator), and lost the chance of a Second Serve, resulting in NK winning the point, what a Travesty/Shame,, he might have won that set if he had challenged. I think no-one could have beaten NK that day…..Rafa was unlucky it was him and not Novak or Roger……I think Roger and Novak have had all the easy draws….WHOSE MAKING THESE DECISIONS…..the whole tournament is geared to get Rafa out of Murrays way!! Karma………he lost today unfortunate for him, as I wanted him to win today. As a Rafa Fan, I don’t want him to loose his No. 1 spot,, so let’s hope Kyrgious will continue his form and BEAT NOVAK!!!! Come on Kyrgious for Rafas sake!!!!
Enjoy your vacation.
Looking at Kyrgios’s not shot from between his legs – super if intended and aimed, otherwise pure reflex and lucky.
The loyalty shown here to Nadal is great to see, but wake up people. The simple fact is he got beaten by a guy who was simply better on the day. Sure, he was playing without fear and swinging freely, but give the guy some credit, he could have choked a couple of times, but had the belief to see it through. The mark of a champion in my book….
Face up to it Nadal fans, if it was Nadal who played this way yesterday, you would all be singing his praises
Rafa Nadal = Nada !
To play a “serve machine” like Kyrgios, and read your comment…is the same : less than NADA
It does not matter how Krygios won you fool.
So what – Krygios has his strength in his serve, Nadal has his own strengths and weaknesses, the sum of which lost him the match.
Quit making blind excuses – fanboy
Bravo Rafa malgré la défaite . Je te soutiendrai toujours que tu gagnes ou que tu perdes ! Tu es un champion unique . Repose toi et profite de vacances à la plage bien méritées et reviens nous encore plus fort pour la tournée américaine . Avec toi, toujours .VAMOS RAFA !