Rafael Nadal is out of the Mexican Open at the second-round stage after losing in three sets to Nick Kyrgios, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-7(6).
Rafa, winner in Acapulco in 2005 and 2013, was playing his first event since falling in the Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic.
He had chances to break Kyrgios in both the second and third sets but was unable to convert as both sets went on serve to the tiebreakers.
Kyrgios levelled his head-to-head record with Rafa at 3-3 and will play three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka for a place in the semi-finals.
After the match, Rafa said about Kyrgios:
He’s a player who has enormous talent, could be winning grand slams or fighting for the number one ranking. He lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but he lacks a little respect for the public and the rival.
Rafa’s next tournament will be Indian Wells in March.
Source: AAP
Rafa i am your biggest fan. I watched the whole tennis match live. Kyrigos is the most discusting person in tennis i have ever seen! He should have been thrown out the night u played him. I had never watched him and hope to never again. He should have gotten a couple more conduct codes violations than one. He got mad and struck a stray ball bouncing very hard not caring where it was going. It could have hurt someone seriously. Talking onscene lanugage at the croud,does not display the ethics that professional players conduct their selves! Then the commentators were praising talking like he could do no wrong. What kind of tennis players in the next gen future are they promoting! Rafa i wish all the luck in the coming tennis matches. You are the greatest and don’t think otherwise. I have watched u play since u stepped on the court. Back then i said u were going to be the best!! You always will be too!
I think Rafa was wrong about one thing. Kyrgios really is a bad person. He can be charming when he wants to be but only a baddie would pull some of the crap he has.
It’s amazing how the tennis channel commentators think his behavior is A-OK
I was also very disappointed in the tennis channel commentators. Kyrigios needs to be held accountable for his awful on-court behavior. I don’t even think he can play a match without any drama which he creates for himself. I wonder if the knee wrappings and the cramps were just a ruse to show he can play when he is injured and also try to upset the rhythm of his opponents. Sometimes I wish the players would boycott playing him. He’s a very twisted player and bad for the sport. Umpires as well should come down hard on him. There’s no excuse for him. Pitiful!
It is a privilege to play professional tennis. All Nick does is make a mockery of the sport, his opponents and the spectators. I totally agree with Rafa with regard to Nick lacking respect. There is no room for trouble-makers such as Nick in tennis or any sport. I am not impressed with his talent because he uses it as a weapon to abuse his opponents and the fans watching. Rafa is a true gentleman, and champion. I also hope Nick is fined for that profane comment he made to the crowd to be quiet. Truly unacceptable and atrocious. He’s not a teen-ager anymore. His deliberate bad behavior, language and disgusting gestures are his modus operandi at all times. I don’t see him growing up anytime soon. He prefers to stir the pot. No opponent should be expected to tolerate his despicable behavior. .So many other talented players who are very respectful of the sport, I prefer to watch, instead.
On a lighter note, Rafa you looked great out there, so looking forward to seeing you compete at Indian wells.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Thank you, Judy!
Yes Diane, I have seen only thé highlights of the match, of course a shame 😢😢 as I prayed for Rafael as always 😢 but in spite of us being fans and hoping for him it is a nuisance that he came up against this player whose behaviour like you say, left a lot to .be desired 😡 I did not like the way he beat him in Wimb 2014 and hoped he world ont cross him again. If only he had had another. 😯 Lopez and Ferrer have fallen out, I always prefer espagnoles or latin américains in México in the semis and to wear the sombrerô at the end of the final. Fiona in Paris
Agreed, I can never get enough of watching Rafa compete. He’s such a great champion. I don’t like when any professional, hard-working tennis player has to play against this guy. Actually, it totally cheapens the competition and makes it more like a reality show. So unfair. Plus true athletes are supposed to be in good shape not moping around the court with such a chip on their shoulder. I had enough of this guy.
When I saw Rafa in his Academy in Manacor in Sept. Oct and Nov 18 I spoke to him in Spanish and said wé understand it is not easy for them, always requested for autos and selfies but I appreciated that he signed my book Rafa and the lovely selfie taken by Carlos Moya 😃 . After training they are more relaxed than after a match. 🎾However, I spoke to the people in the Aca and suggested it would be good if they could put aside 10 mins to sign and pose for the fans timed with a watch rather than doing that whilst walking away. 😉 Then 5 mins while walking. 15 mins in all, that way the fans waiting have more of à chance to catch him. What do you others think about this ? Fiona in Paris
What do you think about the timing 🕦📷 ? I already suggested in Paris Bercy that if the player had won his match 😃 he must be in a good mood and can time 15 mins for the fans gathered round the edge of the court before walking away. 😉 After training I have just suggested it. Any comments ? Fiona in Paris
Rafa you are a gentleman and great person,your fans love you all over the world 🌎 Kyrios has no respect for anybody ,he mocks the crowd and his apponents , Rafa good luck for the next vamossssssssssss champ 🎾🎾🎾💪💪💪😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘🙏🙏
Rafa lost today and he has only himself to blame. i’m disappointed at the result but not devastated because I know Rafa will sort out the problem of his poor break point conversion rate. Indian Wells is a tournament Rafa loves, so I wish him every success there.
As for Nick Kyrgios, I ran out of patience with him a long time ago. Being the gentleman and consummate professional that Rafa is, he tried so hard to say positive things about Kyrgios in his post match interview, but I can imagine how furious he must have been by Kyrgios’ clear lack of respect. Thank goodness there’s a crop of young players that love the sport and take it seriously.
I agree with all the comments above. I could not believe the underhand serve! I did not think that this was an important tourney for Rafa. He needed hard court practice. Hopefully this early loss will let him play better in IW. If his hand was hurting, now he can rest it more. Play some golf and relax!
CI…….CI…….CI…….NO BIG DEAL………YOU ARE GREAT ON HARDCOURT SWEETHEART AND THE ONLY THING IS THE CROWDS LOVE YOU AND THEY WILL MISS YOU……………….AND AGREE, WITH LONGER TIME TO PREPARE : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Yes, I would have lIked him to win in Acapulco and leave the Américain tournaments for Kyrgios, it is more logical, Spanish speaking in Latin America and the Aussie more affinity with America 😮 speaking English. Rafael played golf in Feb. in Majorca , a Balearic compétition and got 2nd place, he likes it and it seems to relax him in winter⛳ wearing his Nike woollen hat. ☺ Fiona in Paris
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) THERE WERE LOTS OF SETTLE, POOR CHOICES K MADE IN THE MATCH…….AND THE UMPIRE FAIL TO CALL HIM ON IT. HE CHALLENGED AFTER HE PLAYED A losing RETURN WHEN YOU WERE READY TO SERVE, A FEW TIMES HE KEPT STOPPING, BENDING OVER AS IF HE IS GOING TO FAINT AND DID THAT WITHOUT REGARDS TO YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NET , HE PRETENDED TO SERVE AND THEN SIMPLY HIT THE BALL INSTEAD ACROSS ON THE FLOOR – NOTHING WAS DONE BY THE UMPIRE. SEEMS LIKE THE UMPIRE WAS ALSO AFRAID OF HIS POOR BEHAVIOR. SO YES, THIS IS NOT EASY TO COMPETE WITH SUCH AN UGLY MANIPULATOR AND THIS IS NOT A SECRET AND NOTHING NEW…..THAT IS WHY HE LOOKS AND BEHAVES THE WAY HE DOES. UNFAIR TO ALL OTHER PLAYERS ON THE TOURS, NO ONE TAKES THE TIME TO TRULY ADDRESS AND CORRECT HIM…..THE ATP DID a FEW YEARS BACK FINED HIM BUT HE GETS AWAY WITH TOO MUCH, AND TENNIS FANS DO NOT APPRECIATE IT. I THINK HE IS SUFFERING, EMOTIONALLY AND WITH NO DIRECTION, IT GETS EXPRESSED ON THE COURT.
BUT ENOUGH ABOUT HIM…….VAMOS SWEETHEART YOU HAD A FINE GAME EVEN THO IT WAS OBVIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE FLOW, THE FOCUS, AND CONCENTRATION WITH SO MUCH POOR BEHAVIOR FROM THE OPPONENT. YOU KEPT GOING AND YOU PLAYED GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU SERVED GREAT AND REACHED AND RETURN GREAT…..YOU WERE AGGRESSIVE WITH YOUR SHOTS AND YOU WERE CLEARLY THE STRONGER, POWERFUL PLAYER THROUGHOUT THE MATCH. SO THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. NO BIG DEAL, THERE WILL BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND YOU CAN WALK AWAY FEELING PROUD OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL HARDCOURT TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I WAS TIRED LAST NIGHT SO I AM COMMENTING THIS MORNING BUT EVEN WITH ALL HIS OBNOXIOUS DISRESPECT, MY HUSBAND AND I REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING YOU PLAY AND RISE ABOVE WITH YOUR SPORTSMANSHIP TO DEAL WITH THIS POOR PLAYER. I LIKE THE UMPIRE, HE IS FAIR AND PRO. I NOTICED A FEW TIMES HE LOOKED AT YOU TO SEE YOUR REACTION TO K UNFITTING BEHAVIOR, INAPPROPRIATE CHALLENGING ETC… BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE UMPIRE LOOKING CONCERNED, JUST KEPT THE MATCH GOING AND ALLOWED K TO GET AWAY WITH IT. YOU MAY WISH TO SPEAK WITH THE UMPIRE AND REPORT YOUR CONCERNS TO OTHER OFFICIALS, SO THAT K DOES NOT GET AWAY WITH HIS BS AGAIN.
VAMOS SWEETHEART AND SORRY FOR THE UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE YOU HAD TO FACE…..I NEVER LIKED THIS GUY FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME I SAW HIS BEHAVIOR ON COURT. BUT SE LACVI……THINGS HAPPENED, AND THE GOOD NEWS IS YOUR TENNIS IS SOLID, AND BRIGHT AND TOP TOP TOP LEVEL……..SO I AM SORRY BUT I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY YOUR FUTURE MATCHES. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND A LOVELY WEEK AND HAVE A NICE BREAK BETWEEN TOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND KUDOS FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL HARD WORK AND SOLID TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Please tone down all the capital letters – it’s called ‘shouting”
Why should official encourage him to continue? K. was doing all he could to break Nadal’s rhythm and concentration. If he disrespects the sport, there are many other players who would fight for such an opportunity. K. Is not a child; move on.😠
Disappointed that Rafa lost and was 1 for 10 on break points . also . 3 match points blown . Rafa will learn from this loss to concentrate better on converting his break points . This match was there for the taking !
He is sooooooo disrespectful. He mocks the crowd and his opponents. He needs to grow up. Tennis is a serious sport take it as is and stop being so uncout.
Rafa u are one of a kind UNIQUE
Cjb
Yes he wanted to quit in the first set. But the official talk him into staying. He is very disrespectful player. Rafa still our number one.gods blessing. Good luck in the game
I do not understand so called officials who give in to Kyrgios’s misbehavior. Even worse than that is how Rafa squandered 3 match-points!
Kyrgios is a bad cheater and not only with his opponent but also with the tournament and the crowd
I was shocked at his behavior. Nadal was a complete gentleman. Kyrgios was so disrespectful thought the match. Kyrgios also showed he cannot win fair and square this was cheating at its Worse. Sharon
Really don’t know how Rafa could lose this match after so many break points and the match points in the third. All the best for Indian Wells. Vamos Rafa <3
“Lacks respect”, most damning thing Rafa can say about anyone. Too true. Well, Rafa’s loss is Stan’s gain, hopefully.
Nadal 80 titles, including 17 slams, world #2
Kyrgios 4 titles, including one 500, world #79 – hopefully on his way to the challenger circuit – or maybe amateur basketball because this guy doesn’t have the stones to be a pro at anything.
I said it before and I’ll say it again.. Nicky is a showoff, not a favorite of mine. He’ll never achieve the status of Rafa, Roger, Delpo or Stan. Get him outta there.
I agree with Rafa, Kyrios has no respect for anybody, I noticed he had a time out due to a back injury, I believe, but it didn’t appear to stop him prancing around when he had won, he needs to take a leaf or two from Nadal who is the perfect gentleman at all times, win or lose, I think the spectators had every right to boo him!! Good luck Stan W !!
Keep calm Rafa, you know you´r Great, eventhough your oponent has been respectless to you and on average to people, stand up without any problem to be once again the number One all over the World, from the canarian C. Javier get please an enormous sportly H u g.
Kyrgious is an asshole! He should be penalized for his no respect to people😡😡😡
Siempre tan caballero y respetuoso… Jugar con un rival como Kyrios es muy dificil y desesperante mayormente por la falta d respeto k tiene tanto al público y rival…
Adelante sigue en tu linea y t esperamos en esta temporada y k las lesiones se olviden d ti…. VAMOS!!!!!
INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HE CERTAINLY IS THAT! HE HAS TO BE STOPPED FOR THE SAKE OF OTHER PLAYERS AND TENNIS FANS ALIKE.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : 0 WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Finally someone said the truth. Nick is just a miserable human being, disgraceful to watch, shame he is still playing at ATP….tennis will be better without him…talent is not enough