Rafael Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round of the Australian Open (Image credit: Getty)
Tennis legend John McEnroe was hosting the on-court press conference after Rafael Nadal got the better of Nick Kyrgios.
The Australian crowd got behind their man as Kyrgios battled after picking up a knock.
However, the fiery Australian could not get the better of Nadal. The 33-year-old was at his best in the first set as he won 6-3 but lost the next one 3-6.
Nadal held his nerve to win the third set 7-6 in a tie break and repeated that in the fourth set to move into the quarter-finals.
Kyrgios depended a lot on his serve to win points and Nadal was seen standing far back from the baseline.
That was something that McEnroe picked up on and joked with Nadal:
“I notice, we can’t help but notice, you must stand 20 feet behind the baseline to return Nick’s serve. When did you decide to stand so far back (on hard courts), you have to stand so far back on the court but you do it so well.”
Nadal didn’t miss a beat and claimed McEnroe used to do the same:
“Did you play like this? You used to play like this too!”
The American then burst out laughing and made a joke too:
“Yeah, just like that. I know you studied my tapes and said ‘that’s how McEnroe returns’”.
Nadal was giggling away at McEnroe’s little rant but the American was in awe of how Nadal dealt with the Aussie’s serves.
The Spaniard is looking for his second Australian Open title and won’t have it easy in the quarter-finals.
Nadal takes on Dominic Thiem and the 26-year-old overcame Gael Monfils in the fourth round.
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Thiem has already been in one thrilling five-set game in the Australian Open, and his upcoming clash against Nadal could be one of the best the tournament can offer.
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