Nadal slams Kyrgios for ‘lacking respect’

AUSTRALIA’S Nick Kyrgios “lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself”, according to Rafal Nadal.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion lost a dramatic second-round match to world number 72 Kyrgios 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (8-6) at the Mexican Open.

Kyrgios served underarm late on during the match against the Spaniard, who said: “He’s a player who has the talent to win Grand Slams – a player who can fight for the top rankings, but there’s a reason he is where he is.”

Kyrgios saved three match points before beating Nadal, who was playing his first tournament since losing to Novak Djokovic in January’s Australian Open final.

“He is a very dangerous player but lacks consistency,” Nadal said.

“I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I think he’s a good guy.”

Kyrgios, 23, saved nine break points in the match and came from 6-3 down in the third-set tie-break to win, before falling to the floor in celebration.

“I’m different, Rafa’s different,” said Kyrgios.

“He doesn’t know the journey I have been through. He doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all.

“That’s the way I play. He’s very slow in between points. The rule in the book says you have to play at the speed of the server. Rafa has the speed every time. He has got his game and I have got mine.”