‘Ready for Tomorrow Night’ – Nick Kyrgios All Set for Rafael Nadal Challenge at Indian Wells 2022
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via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 20, 2022 Australia’s Nick Kyrgios reacts during his second round match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Nick Kyrgios has been quite the entertainer on the court, and fans have been enjoying his antics over the year. He also does not take part in the complete ATP tour, choosing tournaments as per his convenience instead. He recently announced that he won’t be participating in the clay season at all and will be concentrating on the grass tournaments next.
But for now, he is showing some scintillating form at the Indian Wells Masters where he reached the quarter-finals.
DIVE DEEPER: Nick Kyrgios Unwilling to Play on Clay, Says ‘He Is Not Going to Play 30-Ball Rallies Against Diego Schwartzman’
Nick Kyrgios is ready for Rafael Nadal’s challenge
In his Round-of-32 match, he defeated 8th seed Casper Ruud in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. He was supposed to meet a rising youngster from Italy, Jannik Sinner, in his Round-of-16 match. However, just an hour before their contest, Sinner withdrew from the tournament citing an illness.
He next plays Rafael Nadal with whom he has had a rocky relationship in the past. They have played each other a total of 8 times on the ATP tour so far. Nadal leads their head-head record 5-3. Their first meeting was in 2014 at the Wimbledon Championships when an inspired Nick Kyrgios defeated Nadal in the Round-of-16 encounter. His other two wins came in Cincinnati and Acapulco in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
via Getty
Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands at the net with Nick Kyrgios of Australia after their Men’s Singles second round match during Day four of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“I know how that young man’s feeling and it’s, you know, he’s a great player. He’s gonna have a huge career to do some special things, but I’m just some, you know, I thought it’d be nice to come out here and have a couple of words. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to play today, but I’ll be ready for tomorrow night,” Kyrgios said.
He also opened up about how he can relate to what Sinner must be going through, having to withdraw from the tournament, mid-way. Kyrgios recalled how he had to face a similar fate in Indian Wells when he was slated to play Roger Federer. However, he could not compete owing to food poisoning.
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Can Kyrgios upset the Spaniard in Indian Wells?
Nadal-Kyrgios clash has never been short of excitement in the past. And one can expect the same from their upcoming face-off as well. Can Kyrgios dig deep to snap Nadal’s incredible run in 2022? Or will Nadal remain on course against the Australian for his 4th title of this season?
It will be intriguing to witness how the latest episode of this rivalry unfolds in the Californian desert!
Written by:
Edited by:
Niranjan Deodhar
