Kyrgios’ 4am pub admission as Nadal clash looms

Nick Kyrgios has said repeatedly over the past week that he’s growing and maturing as a player – and with a possible re-match against Rafael Nadal looming, a look back at their past match proves that.

After his five-set win over American Brandon Nakashima, Kyrgios will now face Chile’s Cristian Garin for a spot in the final four, and a third match at Wimbledon against Rafael Nadal, who he admitted he didn’t take as seriously as he should have back in 2019.

Before going down the rabbit hole of his clothing choices, the first few minutes of Kyrgios’ post-match press conference were among the most raw and candid we’ve ever seen him be about his own performances and attitudes in the past.

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“I just want to continue to do the right things, physically, professionally,” he told reporters.

It seems like a lifetime ago that a teenage wildcard produced one of the great upsets of modern tennis, as a 19-year-old Kyrgios knocked off Nadal in 2014 – which remains his best finish at The Championships.

Nadal got his revenge five years’ later, winning in four sets after taking two consecutive tiebreaks in the third and fourth – and it’s a match that, with hindsight, Kyrgios admits he didn’t prepare adequately for.

“There was a time where I was having to be forced out of a pub at 4am to play Nadal,” he said.

“My agent had to come get me out of a pub at 4am before I played my match on Centre Court.

“I’ve come a long way, that’s for sure.”

Kyrgios praised his ‘incredible’ support crew, including his physio, agent, and girlfriend.

“They just support me – and I feel like I just can reflect on all those dark times where I pushed them all away,” he said.

“To sit here, quarter-finals of Wimbledon, and feeling good, feeling composed, feeling mature and having that around me, I’m extremely blessed, and I feel like I’m just comfortable in my own skin.”

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While Kyrgios needed five sets to see off the plucky American, it was smooth sailing for Nadal, who beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2, 7-6.

Nadal cruises into last eight

Both men have to navigate through tricky quarter-finals, first and foremost – but it’s a remarkable opportunity for the enigmatic Australian to finally live up to his gigantic potential and clear natural talent.

Nadal has a 6-3 edge over Kyrgios in all tournaments, and has won two of their three grand slam face-offs.

But at Wimbledon? It’s one apiece, it’s Kyrgios’ best surface, and right now, it’s looking like his best chance to win a singles major.

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