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Nick Kyrgios was pleasantly stunned to listen to Pat Rafter’s prediction for his Australian Open run, declaring it “the nicest thing” that the Australian tennis legend ever mentioned about him.
After lacking the final two Australian Open editions because of foot and wrist surgical procedures, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist is ready to make his long-awaited comeback at first of the 2025 season in Brisbane. Forward of his return, the 29-year-old highlighted that his high aim can be successful a Grand Slam as he believes that means he would shut up his doubters and critics for good.
And Rafter, who received two Grand Slams throughout his profession, wouldn’t be stunned if the seven-time ATP champion made a splash in his first Grand Slam match again.
It ought to be famous that they’ve a historical past as the previous world No. 1 final yr slammed Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis’ doubles partnership as “a circus.” In a response from the previous world No. 13, he was referred to as “clueless.”
“You’d never write anyone off with the talent that Nick has. It’s pretty amazing. I really don’t know what he’s done, though. A year and a half off the game … it’s going to be interesting. I have no expectations or understanding about how he is going to go. I think it’s all up in the air. If he gets to the quarters, the semis, it wouldn’t surprise me. He’s got a massive game, but then can he keep it together? Can his body and mind hold together? They’re probably his really big hurdles,” Rafter advised AAP.
Pat Rafter© YouTube screenshot
Kyrgios responds to Rafter; What the Australian tennis legend precisely mentioned previously?
Whereas scrolling Instagram, the Australian stumbled upon what the previous two-time US Open champion needed to say about him. And evidently, he preferred it however he was additionally a bit stunned.
“Nicest thing Pat Rafter has ever said about me or my career haha,” the 29-year-old wrote on his Instagram Story.
Nick Kyrgios Instagram Story© Nick Kyrgios – Instagram
Earlier than this occurred, the 2 publicly traded photographs. In 2022 January, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis received the Australian Open males’s doubles title. All through their triumphant run, they had been having enjoyable and each of their match was just about a present for the general public.
Nonetheless, when addressing their partnership a yr later, Rafter had some sturdy phrases in regards to the Australian duo, claiming that the locker room was irritated with their habits.
“It’s an fascinating one that’s, as a result of the gamers are actually upset about it. I don’t understand how that operates with them and doesn’t actually trouble me both means. It’s a little bit of a circus … doubles is a good occasion, it’s lots of enjoyable, and it helps you with singles, however it’s not the place it’s at. However on the similar time, it’s leisure,” the 51-year-old said on the Happy Slam podcast in 2023 January.
Kyrgios wasn’t impressed at all with those comments.
“He would have absolutely zero idea on what the locker room thinks. Me and kokk have great relationships with most of the players on tour. Guy is clueless,” the seven-time ATP winner wrote on X at the time.
Rafter noted one more thing about Kyrgios’ upcoming Australian Open
After stating that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the 29-year-old make a really deep run at Melbourne Park, the former world No. 1 also noted that he wouldn’t be surprised either if the Australian exited the tournament very early.
“He’s got a massive game. But then can he keep it together? Can his body hold up? Can his mind hold together? They’re probably his really big hurdles, especially his body. If you don’t play competitively, God, it’s a completely different thing than to training. So I really don’t know what to expect from him. I think it’s all up in the air,” Rafter mentioned.
“For those who go there to see him play, will probably be fascinating to see. I don’t know fairly what the expectation is from the pundits however my expectation is there may be none. After I say there isn’t a expectation, if he will get to the quarters, the semis, it wouldn’t shock me. If he loses the primary spherical, it wouldn’t shock me. I don’t know.”
Coming back from two surgical procedures and a two-year absence is the whole lot however a simple factor to do. Nonetheless, there have been studies indicating that the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up was able to play for months however he simply wished to take it very slowly and make investments the whole lot into getting as prepared as potential for the 2025 season.
Prior to now, the 29-year-old’s finest Australian Open run got here in 2015 when he made the quarterfinal earlier than shedding to Andy Murray.
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Publish date : 2024-12-15 10:48:24
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