Nick Kyrgios Relives Epic Roger Federer Match, Says No One Can Take Away His Wins Against Big 3

Published 04/03/2021, 12:05 AM EDT

Maverick Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has shared memories of his greatest Tour matches against one of the very best. Currently ranked 51st in singles, Kyrgios posted a video from his epic semi-final clash against Roger Federer at the 2017 Miami Open.

While the match went the full distance, so did all three sets with not much to separate between the two players.

The strapping, 25-year-old Aussie produced inspired tennis, but Federer’s class told in the end as he quelled his opponent’s spirited challenge in the fiercely fought three-setter.

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Roger Federer prevailed in three sets against Nick Kyrgios in the Miami Open semi-final in 2017

Kyrgios tagged his post with a message saying that it was a match that will remain unforgettable not just for himself but for generations of tennis fans as well. He said that despite his best effort, Federer was “too good” on the day.

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A post shared by Nick Kyrgios (@k1ngkyrg1os)

The Canberra lad also seemed to settle an enduring debate involving the Swiss and his Big Three rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. “A match I will never forget. Too good by the goat in this epic,” Kyrgios wrote.

After the opening set was deadlocked at the end of 12 games, the Aussie couldn’t hold his nerve in the ensuing tie-break as the 20-time Grand Slam champion pulled away to go a set up. However, the 25-year-old got his own back in the second set tie-break to even the contest and set up a mouth-watering decider.

The final set turned out no different, with both players going hard at each other, producing fascinating rallies that drew rapturous applause from the packed crowd.

After a pulsating slugfest that had many in the crowd biting feverishly into their nails, Federer eked out a 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-5) win. The Swiss eventually won the championship trophy that year, beating old foe Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in the final.

Nick Kyrgios trails Federer 1-5 in head-to-head battles

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Kyrgios wrote that he would always cherish his wins against the Big Three. “No one can take away my wins against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic,” his message read.

Kyrgios trails the Swiss 1-5 in the head-to-head count, while it’s a lot closer at 3-5 against the Spaniard. Against Djokovic, the current World Number 1, the Aussie has two wins in two head-to-head battles.

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Written by:

Priyabrata Chowdhury is a tennis author for EssentiallySports. He has been a print journalist for a decade, producing news pages for leading national dailies such as the Hindustan Times and The New Indian Express. His passion for sports eventually drove him to tennis writing.

Nick Kyrgios Relives Epic Roger Federer Match, Says No One Can Take Away His Wins Against Big 3

Roger Federer prevailed in three sets against Nick Kyrgios in the Miami Open semi-final in 2017

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Nick Kyrgios trails Federer 1-5 in head-to-head battles