Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts I’m Mia Johnson-Carter, a young tennis player from Miami. Today, I want to dive into one of the most fascinating stories in tennis history involving Nick Kyrgios and his underarm serve against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
Nick Kyrgios’ match against Rafael Nadal in 2013 was a defining moment in his career. The then-19-year-old Australian stunned the world by defeating the former world No. 1 in a thrilling four-set match, winning 7-6 (5) 5-7 7-6 (5) 6-3. This victory not only secured his spot in the quarterfinals but also made him the first player to beat Nadal at Wimbledon since 2005.
But what really caught everyone’s attention was Kyrgios’ decision to use an underarm serve against Nadal. This unconventional move was seen as disrespectful by some tennis purists, who believed it was ungentlemanly. However, Kyrgios argued that he needed to disrupt Nadal’s rhythm, given the Spaniard’s tendency to return the ball far back in the court. The underarm serve worked perfectly for Kyrgios, helping him secure a crucial point in the match.
In an interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Kyrgios explained his thought process behind the serve: “I did it against Nadal. He is known for returning the ball like really far back in the court, so it’s hard to get a free point. So I needed to do something to get this guy out of this rhythm, and I did it and the whole tennis world called me really disrespectful, but, I won the match. So, I found a way.” This move not only showcased Kyrgios’ creativity and determination but also highlighted the intense rivalry between him and Nadal.
Kyrgios has always been known for his outspoken personality and willingness to challenge traditional tennis norms. In another notable incident, he faced criticism for his behavior during a match against Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters. After losing a tight first set via a tie-break, Kyrgios became frustrated and made some heated comments towards Wawrinka, suggesting that his girlfriend had relations with another player, Thanasi Kokkinakis. Despite the controversy, Kyrgios maintained that it was just “good old-fashioned trash talk” necessary in sports.
Kyrgios’ journey has been marked by both triumphs and controversies. His ability to navigate these challenges has made him one of the most fascinating figures in modern tennis. As a young player myself, I find his story inspiring and a reminder that in tennis, as in life, sometimes you need to think outside the box to achieve greatness.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia
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