Nick Kyrgios stuns tennis fans in shock Rafael Nadal call out
The relationship between Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal has been rocky in the past, to say the least.
Bad blood between the pair has been palpable ever since their memorable clash at the Mexico Open in 2019 when Nadal accused the Aussie of being disrespectful on court.
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Those comments from the Spaniard were followed up by similar barbs from Nadal's uncle Toni - who was also part of his coaching team at the time.
Kyrgios infamously described Nadal as being "super salty", suggesting the Spaniard was a bad loser.
Ever since that fateful encounter in Mexico, the rivalry between the two players has intensified and less than flattering comments about one another have been exchanged.
Nadal admitted to reporters during this year’s Australian Open that there was a side to Kyrgios that he did not like.
"I don't know [if I like him]. I don't know him personally, honestly, to have a clear opinion," Nadal said.
"It's clear, of course, that when he does stuff that in my opinion is not good, I don't like."
It appears as though Kyrgios wants to extend an olive branch to Nadal, however, after suggesting the pair take part in a social media initiative.
Either that, or the Aussie wants to tell the World No.2 what he thinks of him - to his face.
As the coronavirus has sent the tennis season into hibernation until July 13 at the earliest, a host of players have recently taken to social media for face-to-face exchanges.
Over the weekend, the BBC asked for suggestions as to the most sought-after facetimes - prompting a quick response from Kyrgios.
"Rafa lets do Instagram live together. I am down with it. Rafael Nadal let's do it," wrote the Australian on Instagram.
Not surprisingly, Kyrgios' shock invitation has left tennis fans salivating at the prospect.
Please make it happen — Nick Kyrgios x Rafa Nadal 😜🙌 #rafa #nadal #kyrgios #yesplease pic.twitter.com/TozZGuSJQy
— snoozeyoulose (@snoozeyoulose2) May 3, 2020
It could be the video chat everybody wants to see as Nick Kyrgios tells Rafael Nadal: 'Let's do Insta!'
Vía @AFP_Sporthttps://t.co/HMrxOQVWnT pic.twitter.com/FDpNX63WTD— Aroguden (@Aroguden) May 3, 2020
@NickKyrgios has invited @RafaelNadal to an @instagram live session. Let's do it, wrote the Australian who once said the Spanish world No. 2 was "super-salty.” Nadal said Kyrgios is “lacking respect.” @AFP #tennis #livechat pic.twitter.com/2Is8uptGaL
— Daily Tribune (@tribunephl) May 3, 2020
Proudly presented by https://t.co/LnzKGO7KJL ‘Let’s do it’: Kyrgios calls out Nadal to take tennis’ biggest feud live on Insta https://t.co/8FjHXqUc2k pic.twitter.com/JWTPHUrPGg
— tenniscoaching.com (@_TennisCoaching) May 3, 2020
Kyrgios whacks Thiem’s controversial stance
Kyrios has been busy on social media of late, criticising Dominic Thiem after his Austrian rival refused to support a financial proposal to help out tennis’ lower-ranked players struggling during the current shutdown.
"He (Thiem) still doesn't understand the point," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.
“We at the top get paid far too much and there is not enough to go around, it's about helping where we can, professional or unprofessional, put yourself in their shoes.
The plan proposed by Djokovic would involve raising between $3 million (2.75 million euros) and $4.5 million, with the cash coming from the prize money for the season-ending World Tour Finals or the final bonus pools for top players.
"None of us top players got anything handed to us, we all had to fight our way up," Thiem said.
"I don't have the guarantee in any job that I will do well and earn lots of money, that's my opinion on the matter," he said.
with agencies