It was tennis match turned grudge match and Nick Kyrgios didn't pull punches afterward.
Rafael Nadal fought off Kyrgios, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), to score his 50th Wimbledon win and reach the third round for the 10th time.
More: Djokovic Opens Up About Gimelstob Relationship
It was a pulsating second-rounder that popped with intensity, a couple of underhanded serves from Kyrgios, some electric forehand strikes from Nadal and a tense exchange.
Kyrgios fired a menacing forehand right into Nadal's body that the third-seeded Spaniard managed to deflect with his Babolat racquet. The Aussie offered no apology prompting a brief stare-down from Nadal.
Asked afterward if he regretted not apologizing, Kyrgios replied: "Why would I apologize?"
"I didn't hit him. Hit his racquet, no?" Kyrgios told the media. "Why would I apologize?"
Told Nadal "didn't look too pleased," Kyrgios shot back "I don't care."
"Why would I apologize?" Kyrgios continued. "I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account? I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I'm not going to apologize to him at all."
While hitting at a net-rushing opponent's body is a perfectly legal play, it's not often players admit to it afterward. Kyrgios, who likes to toy with tennis convention, was candid when asked if he was aiming to nail Nadal with his forehand.
"Yeah, I was going for him," Kyrgios said. "Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he's got decent hands."
Photo credit: Getty