Nick Kyrgios concedes he was trying to hit Rafael Nadal "square in the chest" with a menacing forehand during their Wimbledon second-round grudge match.
Nadal, who deflected the drive with his racquet during his four-set victory, said the body blow was a dangerous play.
Kyrgios: I Wanted To Hit Him Square in the Chest
"Honestly is about we are in a game that the history of this sport is about respect and is about playing fair during the whole time," Nadal said. "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, is dangerous. 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."
Nadal said lines people are at risk when Kyrgios unleashes a ballistic drive.
"This time the ball went in, almost hit me, no problem," Nadal said. "I am professional, so I know how to avoid this. 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. Is not about I am angry about him at all. It's about I want to play a match of tennis. Sometimes is difficult."
Kyrgios, who was annoyed by what he perceived as Nadal's stalling between points, ripped into the chair umpire during a Nadal bathroom break.
“What is this stuff bro? Play the game," Kyrgios said on court. "Play the game. It’s stupid. You (chair umpires) are the worst of the lot, you’re so biased.
"Just kiss up to him, it’s a joke. “He takes 40 seconds between every serve, is that within reason? No. So don’t tell me to play within reason. He doesn’t play within reason. It’s not fair."
Afterward, Kyrgios admitted he tried to nail Nadal with the ball and said he has no reason to apologize for the act.
"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."
"Yeah, I was going for him," Kyrgios said. "Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he's got decent hands."
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