Nick Kyrgios has spoken about the challenges posed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic when facing each member of the legendary trio.
The Wimbledon runner-up also expressed his hope Nadal is able to keep playing, but thinks the 2024 season will “definitely” be the great Spaniard’s last on tour.
Kyrgios is one of two players, alongside his fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt, to win his first career encounter against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
The 28-year-old holds the following records against the ‘Big Three’: 2-1 against Djokovic; 3-6 against Nadal; 1-6
Following an excellent 2022 season, Kyrgios was sidelined through injury last year and played his only competitive match of the campaign in Stuttgart in June.
The Australian underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and has suffered further setbacks, including a wrist injury that derailed his intended comeback during the grass-court season.
Kyrgios – who is working as a commentator for Eurosport and ESPN during the 2024 Australian Open – explained what makes facing the three great champions so difficult.
“Rafa has that big game style and that physicality, big leftie, you know his patterns but you can’t do anything about it. And Roger Federer could make you feel so bad on the court, shrinking the court, taking time away from you, you never feel settled,” the Australian said on Eurosport.
“At least with Novak you know you’re going to have those exchanges, those long, gruelling exchanges. You know you’re going to get warm, know you’re going to get into it. Then there’s the problem of trying to work out how to beat him, he’s like a ping-pong machine.
“I lost a Grand Slam final against the best to ever do it. I joked that if it had been anyone else that day, Nick Kyrgios would have been a Wimbledon champion.”
The former world No 13 also discussed the setback Nadal suffered in his comeback tournament in Brisbane that led the Mallorcan to withdraw from the Australian Open.
“That’s the fear with all athletes, you come back and put in the work – and a great champion like Rafa, puts in a year of work, comes back a bit early and then re-aggravates something that’s been keeping him out,” Kyrgios added.
“Honestly, I hope he stays and plays because we all know how much he means to the sport and how much he entertains when he plays, with his physicality. Realistically, I would say this is definitely his last year on the tour and I think his eyes will be set on the French Open and that’s about it.”
Leave a Reply