Nick Kyrgios has long been one of the most polarizing figures in tennis. Known for his explosive personality and unpredictable on-court behavior, the Australian has both thrilled and frustrated fans and critics alike throughout his career. Looking back on some of his most controversial moments, including his memorable first-ever meeting with Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and his infamous incident with Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios believes that his actions were often misunderstood.
Speaking candidly on *The Louis Theroux Podcast*, the 29-year-old recounted his 2014 Wimbledon match against Nadal, where he made a name for himself not only by beating one of tennis’s greatest players, but also by showcasing an unconventional tactic that drew widespread criticism from the tennis establishment.
### The Underarm Serve That Raised Eyebrows
At just 19 years old, Kyrgios caused a major upset at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Nadal 7-6 (5) 5-7 7-6 (5) 6-3 in their round-of-16 clash. But what really grabbed attention wasn’t just the scoreline—it was Kyrgios’s cheeky underarm serve, a shot that some purists saw as a disrespectful move, especially against a player of Nadal’s stature and on the revered grass courts of Wimbledon.
Kyrgios, however, didn’t see the underarm serve as a stunt or a disrespectful move. Reflecting on the moment during his interview, the Australian explained his rationale for using the shot against Nadal. “I did it against Nadal because he’s known for returning the ball from way behind the baseline, so it’s really hard to get a free point off him,” Kyrgios said. “So I needed to do something to break his rhythm. I did it, and it worked. The whole tennis world called me disrespectful, but I won the match. I found a way to win.”
For Kyrgios, the underarm serve wasn’t about showing up Nadal or disrespecting the traditions of tennis, but simply about using his creativity to win points. Despite its success, the shot triggered an avalanche of criticism, with many questioning its sportsmanship, especially in the prestigious setting of Wimbledon. “They (critics) were like, ‘How could he do that?’” Kyrgios laughed, as he reflected on the backlash.
Kyrgios’s victory over Nadal was a breakthrough moment in his career, not just for the win, but because it also marked his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance. While his campaign ended in the next round, a four-set loss to Milos Raonic, the Australian had already cemented his place in tennis history with that one iconic match.
### The Tennis “Gentleman’s Sport” Criticism
However, the criticisms that followed his underarm serve were just the beginning of Kyrgios’s complicated relationship with the tennis world. Known for his outspoken nature, on-court antics, and emotional outbursts, Kyrgios has frequently been labeled as a “bad boy” of tennis, often compared to the fiery personalities of past players like John McEnroe.
But Kyrgios doesn’t see his behavior as disrespectful; instead, he argues that tennis itself—often referred to as an “old, gentlemen’s sport”—is quick to judge anyone who steps outside the norms of its long-standing traditions. “That’s been a story in my life,” Kyrgios said. “Coming into tennis, the reputation thing has always been an issue. John McEnroe came up in the same way, and now I’m in a similar spot. We might be hot-headed, but I don’t think we really are. I think tennis is an old, gentlemen’s sport, and anyone who shows personality is seen as being outside the box, outside the cookie cutter of the normal tennis player.”
He went on to explain that in sports like rugby or soccer, players are allowed to express themselves more freely without the same level of scrutiny. In his view, tennis fans and critics expect players to conform to a certain image, and anyone who doesn’t fit that mold gets labeled as a “bad boy” or disruptive figure. “In rugby or soccer, you can get away with showing personality and having that fire, but in tennis, it’s different,” Kyrgios noted. “You can’t judge an athlete based on what they do on the court. You have to separate the two personalities—what we are on court and what we are off court.”
### The Infamous Wawrinka Incident: “Just Good Old-Fashioned Trash Talk”
Another notorious moment in Kyrgios’s career came a year after his encounter with Nadal, during his 2015 match against Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters. Kyrgios made headlines when, in the middle of their match, he made an inappropriate comment about Wawrinka’s girlfriend, Donna Vekic, involving his fellow Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis. Wawrinka was reportedly furious after the match and called for a major fine against Kyrgios.
Kyrgios, who won the match after Wawrinka retired in the third set, has since admitted that he wasn’t proud of the comment, but he now looks back on the incident with a different perspective. On the podcast, he referred to the exchange as “just good old-fashioned trash talk,” adding that he thought it was necessary in sport. “It’s part of the game,” Kyrgios explained. “It’s part of what makes it interesting. Athletes push each other, and that was just one of those moments where things got a bit heated. It wasn’t personal, just competitive banter.”
Kyrgios also suggested that Wawrinka had been trying to provoke him during the match. “He wasn’t really talking trash, but he did try to hit me in the head with a tennis ball,” Kyrgios recalled. “I was like, ‘What’s this guy’s problem?’ It just escalated from there.”
Despite the controversy, Kyrgios maintains that he doesn’t regret his actions. “I won the match, and that’s all that matters,” he said with a smile.
### Injury Setbacks and the Road to Recovery
On a more personal note, Kyrgios also spoke about the injury struggles that have plagued his recent years. After a series of setbacks, including a knee issue that forced him to withdraw from several events, Kyrgios admits that the past two years have been challenging. However, he is optimistic about his recovery and plans to make his return to tennis in 2025.
“The last couple of years haven’t been easy, but I’m focused on coming back strong,” Kyrgios said. “I’ve been working hard on my recovery, and I plan to start 2025 fresh. I’ve got a lot of tennis left in me.”
As Kyrgios looks ahead to his return, one thing is certain: whether he’s drawing attention for his on-court antics or his raw honesty, Nick Kyrgios will always be a player who elicits strong reactions from the tennis world. But as he sees it, that’s all part of the game.