ATP Masters Indian Wells: Nick Kyrgios apologizes after freak out - "Not like Zverev"
Nick Kyrgios gave Rafael Nadal a big fight in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 event - but had to give it up. Apart from the playful performance, the Australian did not provide much positive news.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 18, 2022, 07:09 am
Once again Nick Kyrgios showed early Thursday afternoon in Indian Wells that there are two souls that live in his chest. While the Australian was able to stand up to Rafael Nadal, who was unbeaten in 2022, for long stretches of the game, with a little luck the match could have won in two sets, the numerous outbursts of the 26-year-old left a pale aftertaste.
This started at the end of the first set: Kyrgios had tried unsuccessfully to close the set with his own serve, giving Nadal the chance to send the game into a tie-break. In this, the Australian made a big belly spot - too many slight mistakes in combination with a highly concentrated Rafael Nadal quickly resulted in a 0: 6 deficit. Nadal was then even able to save himself the set ball - after an "audible obscenity" it set a point penalty for Kyrgios.
Kyrgios bursts after defeat
In round two, however, Kyrgios again caused a playful sensation: The Australian overcame some tricky situations at the beginning of the set, increased the pressure towards the end at exactly the right time - and sent the game into a decisive set with a break at exactly the right time. Rafael Nadal is known to win 6: 4 and Kyrgios should inflict an extremely sensitive defeat.
Immediately after the handshake, Kyrgios completely freaked out and threw his racket to the ground with full force. And just barely missed a ball kid, who was almost hit by a bat flying a meter away. The Australian did well to immediately apologize for what happened: "It was a mistake," explained Kyrgios. "I was frustrated after the game ended. That wasn't my intention. My racquet made a crazy rebound."
Kyrgios alludes to Zverev
If anyone knows the ball boy, he should report that he would like to send the child one of his clubs as an apology. "I'm glad he's doing well," wrote Kyrgios - and in the subsequent press conference then briefly pointed out Alexander Zverev: "It was definitely not like Zverev," said the Australian, alluding to the freak out of the Germans at the Acapulco ATP 500 event.
In any case, Kyrgios seemed to have found contact with the ball boy a little later, in the early hours of the morning (CET) shared the world number 132. a chat with the boy in which they arranged for the racquet to be handed over. In any case, the ball boy would be very happy about the racket - and the apology was also accepted.
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