Rafael Nadal is through to the third round of Wimbledon after earning a hard-fought win over Nick Kyrgios on Centre Court.
Two-time winner Rafa required three hours and three minutes to overcome his opponent, who battled back to level up at 1-1 but did not have enough to prevent the crowd favourite from progressing. With a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3) win, our champ notched up his 50th victory at Wimbledon
After the match, Rafa told BBC:
I was aware of everything [Kyrgios’s complaints to the umpire], I was just next to him. I don’t want to comment on this. It is tough to see some things on court sometimes. It is so difficult to win tie-breaks against Nick, but I was serving well.
Rafa will now face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday.
Rafael Nadal ahead of his match against Nick Kyrgios on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal ahead of his match against Nick Kyrgios on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
4th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 4; Rafael Nadal arrives for his game against Nick Kyrgios, Image: 454207161, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Actionplus
4th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 4; A detail view of the racket and ball with Rafael Nadal (ESP) as he prepares to serve to Nick Kyrgios (AUS) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios (right) and Rafael Nadal are given their towels during their match on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his match against Nick Kyrgios on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal reacts during his match on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: A detailed view of the shoes of Rafael Nadal of Spain in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action during his match on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal reacts during his match on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal reacts during his match on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the third set in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates the victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates after winning his match against Nick Kyrgios (AUS) in their Gentleman’s Singles Second Round match during Day 4 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates the victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal celebrates victory over Nick Kyrgios on day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory as he walks off the court after his Men’s Singles second round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Kevin Anderson, world #8 BUT seeded #4 at Wimby just crashed out of his third round match vs Guido Pella. I hope Wimbledon is saying “Oops.”
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Yes, à surprise 😕 shame for him but I think Rafa will .be pleased for PElla as he is a South American and he likes to see them do well in Europe. 😀 Anderson has affinity with England . Fiona in Paris
You did it again with strength courage and humility!!! You are truly one of a kind🤗🤗🤗🤩🤩🤩😘😘
For such bad behavior,the companies that endorse him should cut him off. If his finances suffer maybe he’ll learn to be civil. What a stark contrast between him and Rafa!
Vamos Rafa sos el mas grande te queremos!!!
Oh Rafa I’m so relieved like many others. I was getting very worried but I knew you would triumph in the end. It must have been so difficult when Kyrgios was messing around so congrats.you are so professional and a true asset to everyone who plays tennis. I dread the day when you stop!
Many best wishes and love and keep it going!
From your greatest fan!
Jo
VAMOS
Great victory!!!
You made My Day! I was thrilled to see you beat Kyrgios today. He deserve a spanking for his attitude and poor sportsmanship. Admitting he purposely his Nadal with the ball, is beyond poor sportsmanship. The best won today. Vamos Rafa you’re the Boss!
Congratulations, Rafa! You rule! It is always a pleasure to watch you compete and play your heart out. You always play in the right way with the right intensity and motivation. Have a good recovery and I wish you all the best in round 3 against Jo Willy Tsongsa. Also glad Tsonga is back in the mix!
Huge congratulations Rafa . You fought very hard against a tough opponent.
So proud of you and so happy you are into the third round.
You are a true Champion.
I have been a fan of yours for over sixteen years..
The very best of luck against Tsonga .
I hope you go on snd win the tournament.. xxx
Congrats Rafa! You could tell how thrilled he was to win today. I loved the finger wag.
Congratulations Rafa!🎉 You made me very happy and so proud😘 You did a fantastic job against an unpredictable opponent👍👏All the best and Vamos!🍀💪❤️
Way to go Rafa i am so proud of u today you stood up and played well against a player that can serve very big, a guy who gets a lot of free points because of his huge serve u are the better players because u can make better shots then him because u know how to play the game much the smarter player . Way to go.