MONEY BALL
NICK KYRGIOS admitted deliberately trying to hit Rafa Nadal during their Wimbledon thriller three years ago.
The pair's centre-court match almost boiled over in the tenth game of the third set when the Australian powered a forehand straight at his opponent - leaving Nadal visibly angry.
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The controversial 27-year-old turned away and failed to even acknowledge striking his rival, who just managed to get his racket head down in time to block the ball.
And he stunningly admitted that he tried to harm his opponent, saying: "Yeah, I was going for him. Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest."
Krygios refused to apologise for his attempt to harm Rafa, which was widely condemned by tennis fans.
He asked: "Why would I apologise? I didn't hit him. Hit his racket, no?
"Why would I apologise? I won the point. I don't care. I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account?
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"I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I'm not going to apologise to him at all."
Two-time Wimbledon champ Nadal hit back at his rival - accusing him of being "dangerous" on court.
He said: "Honestly, we are in a game that the history of this sport is about respect and is about playing fair during the whole time.
"I don't say Nick does this stuff to bother the opponent, but is true that sometimes he's dangerous.
"When he hit the ball like this, it is dangerous. It is not dangerous for me, is dangerous for a line referee, dangerous for a crowd.
"When you hit the ball like this, you don't know where the ball goes.
"I know he's a big talented player, but I am a professional player, too. I know when you hit this kind of ball, the ball can go anywhere.
"This time the ball went in, almost hit me, no problem. I am professional, so I know how to avoid this.
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"But another one, the ball goes straight to the back. So have been dangerous moment for the line umpire. That ball hits an eye or something like this, is a problem. That's it.
"It is not about I am angry about him at all. It's about I want to play a match of tennis. Sometimes it is difficult."
Kyrgios and Nadal will renew their rivalry in the semi-finals of Wimbledon on Friday afternoon, with a final against the winner of Novak Djokovic's clash with Cameron Norrie up for grabs.
Kyrgios said of the match-up: "It's going to the most-watched tennis match ever."
Nick Kyrgios does signature underarm serve against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2019
Kyrgios' Bonkers 2019 Match With Nadal
1. A 143mph SECOND serve
2. Under-arm serve
3. Attempted "hot dog" lob
4. A second under-arm serve
5. Booed by Wimbledon fans
6. Sneezing fit while returning
7. Aims forehand at Nadal's head
8. Code violation for complaining to umpire
Kyrgios and Nadal's 2019 clash was an epic encounter which thrilled the packed Centre Court crowd, with top-class tennis and an atmosphere that teetered on the edge of going out of control.
Kyrgios was a box of tricks, complaining bitterly to the umpire one second then having the nerve to TWICE produce under-arm serves against one of the greatest players of all time.
Nadal eventually came through 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, and though there is a history of bad blood between them the Spaniard did claim afterwards Kyrgios has the game to be a Grand Slam champion.
Told of the praise, the Aussie said: "Yeah, I mean, I know what I'm capable of. Just depends.
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"I'm a great tennis player, but I don't do the other stuff. I'm not the most professional guy. I won't train day in, day out. I won't show up every day.
"So there's a lot of things I need to improve on to get to that level that Rafa brings, Novak, Roger have been doing for so long. Just depends how bad I want it.
"But, no, at the moment I don't think I can contend for a Grand Slam."
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