“Unquestionably the GOAT”- Nick Kyrgios still in awe of Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open masterclass
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Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios
Rafael Nadal grabbed headlines all over the world when he lifted his second Australian Open title last month, by defeating Daniil Medvedev in an epic 5-set battle. The Spaniard came back from two sets down to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.
In a recent Spotify podcast with No Boundary, Nick Kyrgios expressed his disbelief over Nadal’s comeback. Kyrgios felt Nadal would be the underdog going into the final as Daniil Medvedev‘s game style is better suited for hardcourts. The Russian had the upper hand until the 5th game of the third set when he was up two sets to love and 3-2(0-40) in the third set. But Medvedev couldn’t capitalize on this glorious opportunity and watched the title slip away from his hands as Nadal scripted an epic comeback to lift the Norman Brookes Trophy for the second time in his career.
“Match-up wise I think it’s a horrible match-up for Rafa. The court’s not playing like Rafa wants it to play to win, like. He wasn’t gonna get any free points on serve. Medvedev just gonna make him play too much, Medvedev can still serve through the court. When he won the first set and then he won the second, I was like it’s gonna be very tough for Rafa to come back. I actually saw 3-2, 0-40. Then I turned it on like 2 and a half hours later and my initial thoughts were ‘no f***ing way’,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios also gave his opinion on the GOAT debate. The Australian said if Nadal wins the French Open this year he will ‘unquestionably’ cement his status as the GOAT.
“I have never doubted Rafa that much in his career. I think the Goat conversation now if he wins French, he’s unquestionably the Goat if he wins French,” he further added.
Nick Kyrgios set to return to action at the Indian Wells
Meanwhile, Kyrgios had a good Australian Open campaign himself. The 26-year old came into the tournament without any match practice as he had to withdraw from the warm-up tournaments after he tested positive for Covid. But this didn’t hamper the Australian’s performance in Melbourne, he had a stellar campaign in both singles and doubles.
Kyrgios lost in the second round but put on a brave fight against eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev, whereas in the doubles he teamed up with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis to lift his first Grand Slam title. Kyrgios hasn’t played a match since then. He was scheduled to play at the Delray Beach Open and Dallas Open earlier this month but withdrew from both tournaments. He will next be seen in action at the Indian Wells which begins on March 8th.
Also read: “He is just a beast!” Leylah Fernandez on Wanting to Swap Lives With Christiano Ronaldo
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T Rushitha
(360 Articles Published)