Kyrgios stumbles upon an old video of Nadal’s stunning return.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to resurfaced Rafael Nadal’s stunning return from 2015 Shanghai
Nick Kyrgios was seemingly heavily impressed by Rafael Nadal’s “insane” return against Ivo Karlovic at the Shanghai Masters. On Tuesday, Tennis TV posted an old video of Nadal’s stunning return against Karlovic from the 2015 Shanghai Masters.
With Karlovic leading 5-4 and serving for the first set, Nadal brutally returned Karlovic’s monster service for a return winner and a 15-30 lead in the game. Nadal went on to break back Karlovic – steal the first set – and claim a 7-5 6-7 (4) 7-6 (4) win.
Reacting to the video, Kyrgios just wrote: “Insane.”
Rafa's GOAT return game 🤯
When @RafaelNadal played the PERFECT return game vs Karlovic in Shanghai! @SH_RolexMasters pic.twitter.com/gK0S7sawS8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 26, 2023
Nadal, Kyrgios haven’t played much in 2023
This year, Nadal appeared just at the ATP Cup and Australian Open before an injury to his psoas muscle forced him to undergo surgery.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios appeared in just one tournament this year due to knee and wrist injuries. Both Nadal and Kyrgios are targeting to play again in 2024 but the difference is that the Spaniard is planning to play his final season next year.
Last week, Nadal was asked how sure he was that the 2024 season was really going to be his last. “Let’s see. I think it’s going to be my last year. I’m pretty convinced. Although, at the same time, at this point, at the end of September, I don’t know.
What can happen? If suddenly things are working very well, I feel fine physically, my head usually works. If I feel competitive and enjoy what I do, why would I limit myself? I can’t say 100%. What do I think my last year is going to be? I’m saying it, I think it’s going to be my last year.
What is it going to be 100%? I can’t say for sure either because things can always happen and I don’t want to say one thing 100% and then they say, you said such a thing, because I’m not 100% sure. Now, if I had to bet, I’d say it’s my last year,” Nadal told Diario AS.
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