It was the year 2019. Rafael Nadal was up against Nick Kyrgios in the second round at the Wimbledon Championships. In their previous meeting at the tournament, the Australian had got the better of Nadal in a four-set thriller in 2014. However, this time around, Nadal avenged his 2014 defeat to oust Kyrgios in four sets. Eventually, Roger Federer ended Nadal’s run in the semifinals of that tournament.

At the ongoing Wimbledon Championships, Nadal and Kyrgios have been drawn in the same half. The two could potentially meet in the semifinals of the tournament. Recently, Kyrgios recounted his 2019 match against the Spaniard at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

Nick Kyrgios talks about facing Rafael Nadal

During a post-match interview after his fourth-round match, the Australian star recollected his match against Nadal at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. He said, “There was a time where I was having to be forced out of a pub at 4am to play Nadal second round. My agent had to come get me out of a pub at 4am before I played my match on Centre Court at Wimbledon. I’ve come a long way, that’s for sure.”??

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Indeed, Kyrgios has come a long way. He has had a dream 2022 season with consistent performances across the tournaments. Earlier this year, he won the Australian Open men’s doubles title, partnering with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios and Nadal advance at the Wimbledon Championships 2022

Yesterday, the two stars had contrasting wins in the fourth round of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. Kyrgios had to dig deep to overcome the challenge of Brandon Nakashima of the United States. In a match lasting three hours and 11 minutes, the Australian got the better of his American opponent in five sets 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2.

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Meanwhile, Nadal had a comfortable straight-set victory over Botic van de Zandschulp. He defeated his Dutch opponent 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(6). In the next round, the Spaniard will take on Taylor Fritz of the United States. Kyrgios will be up against Cristian Garin in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.