Nick Kyrgios is out of the ATP 1000 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells). The Australian was stunned by 4th seeded Rafael Nadal, who will now play fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Even though Kyrgios lost the match, he made sure to push Rafa to his limits in order to win. Raising his game, Nadal took 2 hours and 46 minutes to beat Kyrgios 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.
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Even though Kyrgios put up an incredible show against Nadal, he majorly caught flak for his unruly behavior on-court. World No. 132 showed disorderly behavior during the match. The world considered Kyrgios’s outraging during the match to be because of the match pressure. However, what went unacceptable to tennis fans around the world was Kyrgios’s act post the match.
After shaking hands with the umpire post the match, a frustrated Kyrgios threw his racquet with full force towards the back of the court. Even though it looked like any other playing breaking his racquet on the court, that wasn’t the case with Kyrgios. Throwing the racquet with force, it nearly hit a ball boy standing behind the court.
That came really close! pic.twitter.com/8Bg4fJYLQG
— Billy Bang (@villievang) March 18, 2022
Even though Kyrgios didn’t apologize at that time, he soon realized his wrongdoing and took to his Instagram, apologizing to the ball kid. The 26-year-old uploaded an Instagram story, stating his apology for his actions.
The story read, “Hey guys I just wanna apologize to that ball kid at the end of the match! It was a complete accident and was frustrated at the end of the match. My racquet took a crazy bounce and was never my intention. If anyone knows who that ball kid is, send me a message and I will send a racquet to him. I’m glad he is ok!”
Nick Kyrgios stunned by Rafael Nadal at the Indian Wells
Even though Kyrgios was highly criticized for his behavior, it wasn’t enough to overshadow his incredible showing in the match. Both the players started the match with service holds. However, it was Kyrgios who struck first, breaking Nadal in his second service game. Holding his serve, Kyrgios went on to take a 3-1 lead in the first set.
Trailing in the set, Nadal made a comeback late in the set, breaking Kyrgios to level the score at 5-5. The two took the set to a tiebreaker. Even though it looked like a normal tiebreaker, the ending took everyone by surprise. 0-6 down on serve, Kyrgios abused the crowd, for which he received a point penalty, giving Nadal the first set.
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Also read- Gael Monfils Surpasses Nick Kyrgios’ Record After Hitting His Bullet Forehand at Indian Wells 2022
Composing himself, Kyrgios made a comeback in the second set, breaking Nadal in his very first service game. Taking the lead, he went on to break Nadal again in the last game of the set, winning the second set. However, not looking to stop his roaring run, Nadal made a comeback in the third set. The Spaniard broke Kyrgios in the middle of the 3rd set, going on to win the set with ease.
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Nadal will now play fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.
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