Australia’s tennis star
Nick Kyrgios has expressed
disappointment after the withdrawal of the former world number one Spain’s
Rafael Nadal from the
Australian Open.
The first Grand Slam of the year is set to begin on Sunday where
players from all over the world will showcase their talent and battle to secure
the ultimate prize. Nadal is often regarded as one of the greatest players in
the history of men’s singles tennis in the Open era, having won as many as
22 Grand Slam titles.
The 37-year-old, who recently made a return to the court
after a gap of nearly one year, announced that he will not take part
in the mega-event after suffering a little discomfort during the Brisbane
International.
Kyrgios, who himself is spending time on the sidelines as he
continues to recover from an injury concern, was recently quoted in a report
where he expressed disappointment after hearing the news of Nadal’s withdrawal
from the mega-event.
"He wants to
just play grand slams,” he said. “That's always been my fear is going out of
the sport not on your terms where your body starts to tell you you’re maybe
past it. And Rafa is someone who is so important to the sport and it just takes
time. It broke my heart seeing that."
