French former professional tennis player Marion Bartoli finds
Nick Kyrgios to be an extremely flamboyant player who has the ability to beat anyone on his day, with notable exceptions like
Rafael Nadal on clay courts.
Kyrgios and Nadal have faced each other nine times to date, with the Spaniard leading the head-to-head 6-3. They were scheduled to meet in the semifinals at Wimbledon this year before the 22-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the tournament due to an abdominal injury.
Kyrgiosâ three victories against Nadal have come either on hardcourts or on grass, with the Aussie losing both his contests to the Mallorcan on clay â 2016 Rome Masters and 2017 Madrid Masters.
In a program called âLes Grandes Gueules du Sportâ on RMC Sport, former World No. 7 Bartoli gave her thoughts on the 27-year-old Kyrgiosâ strengths and weaknesses.
âThat Kyrgios is a kicker, a player who feels the excitement of big games, a player who isn't afraid to take on the big guys, that's obvious,â she said, adding, âFor me he will always be an extremely flamboyant player, who will have the ability in a match to get them all, except [Rafael] Nadal on clay and a few [other] exceptions. But becoming a cador on the circuit by being present every week is not Nick Kyrgios' trademark.â
The 2013 Wimbledon champion believes that while Kyrgios is a great player, he will not dominate the menâs circuit as he doesnât compete every week each season.
âTo manage to be a cador of the circuit, it is necessary to hold all the year," stated Bartoli. "Already on clay, he doesn't want to hear about it because for him it's not a tennis surface. So already you take three months off the season including a Grand Slam tournament."