Nick Kyrgios issues major statement on Rafael Nadal's greatness

11/20/2023 07:10 AM

Nick Kyrgios dropped some major praise on Rafael Nadal, hailing the Spaniard as "the king of clay" and describing his astonishing success and competitiveness as "incredible." Kyrgios, who worked as a tennis analyst for Tennis Channel during the ATP Finals, got to visit Tennis Channel's Hall of Champs area. When Kyrgios noticed Nadal's poster, he had some very selected words for the record 14-time French Open champion. "Rafael Nadal, as you can see, he’s on the clay there. So, he’s the king of clay, one of the greatest of all time. One of the best competitors to ever do it. Incredible," Kyrgios said during his visit to Tennis Channel's Hall of Champs area.

lights, camera, @NickKyrgios 🎥👏

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 17, 2023

In 2022, Nadal was battling a foot issue going into the French Open. Still, he managed to extend his French Open record to 14 titles. Unfortunately, Nadal wasn't able to defend his French Open title this year due to an injury suffered to his psoas muscle. But if everything goes right and as planned, Nadal will make his French Open return next year. Just a couple of days ago, 37-year-old Nadal confirmed that he can finally safely say that he will return to pro tennis in 2024. “Until now I didn't know if I would ever play tennis again and now I think so. What has changed from a few weeks ago to now is that now I know that I am going to play tennis again. I didn't know it before, but now, honestly, I know it because the evolution is positive. Big steps have been taken lately. I'm not yet ready to say where. When I know, I will be the first to say it," Nadal said a couple of days ago during a tennis clinic in Barcelona. Nadal's target remains to return to tennis at the start of the 2024 season in Australia.