'I'll get booed off court': Nick Kyrgios' sad admission in Nadal match
Nick Kyrgios has been overheard making a stunning revelation during a medical timeout early in his epic win over Rafael Nadal.
The controversial Aussie pushed the world No.2 all the way in Mexico on Thursday and won 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) in an extraordinary and dramatic contest.
After dropping the first set 6-3, Kyrgios called for the trainer and confessed he was feeling sick.
But he was picked up on court-side microphones telling the trainer he didn’t want to retire because of the criticism he’d receive.
“If I forfeit, the media will blow it up… I’ll be booed off the court,” he said.
Kyrgios tells the trainer he "feels sick" after losing the opening set to Nadal 6-3.
Trainer says what can you do as he hints at a retirement.
Kyrgios replies: "If I forfeit, the media will blow it up…. I'll be booed off the court"#AMT2019
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) February 28, 2019
See this makes me angry. Nick is unwell — it’s quite obvious he’s not at 100%, but instead of focusing on his well-being he’s worried about the media blowing it up and being booed off the court.
THAT sucks and I feel for him. #Nadal vs. #Kyrgios #AMT2019 #ATP #tennis
— Kimberly A. Woodard (@BeingKimmie) February 28, 2019
“I will get booed off the court if [if I retire from the match]. The media will blow it up.” @NickKyrgios visibly struggling with illness against #Nadal but not wanting to let the crowd down in #Acapulco 🎾🎾 #Kyrgios #NkRising
— Samuel Begg – Tennis (@samuelbegg) February 28, 2019
The stunning admission was a sad insight into the young Aussie’s career.
Much-hyped over the years because of his incredible natural talent, he hasn’t quite reached his potential because of issues with effort and attitude.
Remarkably, Kyrgios came storming back to win the second set in a tiebreaker.
Nadal had four break points on Kyrgios’s serve at 4-4 in the second, but the Aussie somehow managed to hold and send it to a third set.
Fans were in awe of Kyrgios’s fighting spirit.
You have to applaud Nick Kyrgios’ effort in Acapulco right now. Giving it his all despite being injured.
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) February 28, 2019
Crowd chanting Kyrgios' name. Looks like it was a good decision to keep playing…
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 28, 2019
Nick Kyrgios plays a great tiebreak to level Nadal at 3-6 7-6(2).
People sure are fickle. There were boos when Kyrgios hit an errant tweener when Nadal was serving at 5-6 40-0. By the time he was up 5-1 in the tiebreak, they were chanting his name.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 28, 2019
Millman and de Minaur into quarters
Australia’s John Millman is through to the quarter-finals with an emphatic straight sets victory over German Peter Gojowczyk in Acapulco.
Millman blitzed the world No.87 6-0 6-2, at one stage winning eight games in succession.
The world No.44 converted six break points and delivered the contest’s only two aces to set up a quarter-final clash with third-seed John Isner.
Big-serving American Isner eliminated compatriot Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4.
Millman’s win was his second comfortable triumph – the eighth seed beat Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-4 in the opening round.
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur boosted Australia’s presence in the quarter-finals when Feliciano Lopez (Spain) withdrew before their second round match.
with AAP
