Abierto Mexicano TelCel, Acapulco, Mexico, ATP 500

[Moxie]

Congrats Nick winning in 3 sets 75,67(3) 64......tight match you did hang tough especially in the first set

Who does Nick play next?

He plays the winner of the match coming up: Isner v. Millman. Is it just me, or does Millman look like Alan Cummings?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He plays the winner of the match coming up: Isner v. Millman. Is it just me, or does Millman look like Alan Cummings?

Thanks. Who is Alan Cummings btw

 

[Moxie]

Thanks. Who is Alan Cummings btw

Sorry, Alan Cumming. Great actor. Scots. Millman would be the blonde, blue-eyed version. The first image is Cumming, the 2nd is Millman. They both have dimples.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just listening to our sports radio program here in Sydney which also goes to Perth,Queensland,Sydney and Melbourne,a poll was taken if Nick and John play each other in the s/final who would you want to win? 98% said John Millman,Nick is not loved here Down Under......mostly because media and fans think he does not respect the game of tennis.

 

[Moxie]

Just listening to our sports radio program here in Sydney which also goes to Perth,Queensland,Sydney and Melbourne,a poll was taken if Nick and John play each other in the s/final who would you want to win? 98% said John Millman,Nick is not loved here Down Under......mostly because media and fans think he does not respect the game of tennis.

Whether that's fair or not, it's not surprising.

 

[Horsa]

My immediate opinion was opposite to that of Dude's: Kyrgios shows more respect than Nadal in this exchange. Even though Kyrgios' words are a bit "rougher" his attitude appears to show more tolerance towards his opponent: "He has got his game and I have got mine". While Nadal's intentions are more patronising: "[Kyrgios] lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself", implying that Kyrgios' attitude is wrong. Hence Kyrgios' response, smart & to the point. And also respectful. You haven't shown a full transcript of Kyrgios' presser. Later on he praised Nad & the crowd, saying: "I love playing Rafa, he’s an unbelievable champion [...] It was one of the best atmosphere’s I’ve ever played in. The majority of the crowd were going for Rafa. He’s going to get that wherever he goes. He’s an unbelievable player. One of the greatest of all time. So just to be able to be a part of that atmosphere… it was a match that I’ll never, ever forget.”

This exchange is a perfect example how subjective and sometimes difficult to measure respect (or any emotional quality) can be. Dude's and my opinions are so opposite, yet both can be objectively valid, depending which path of the complex emotional meanings one takes while interpreting the exchange. So to be "right" in your judgement you have to accept arguments from both sides (even if leading to contradictory outcomes), as Horsa did.

I saw both sides. They both had good points & I think that they could both have learnt from the constructive criticism. I think that Kyrgios should have shown Nadal more respect as he has more experience & knows more about the game & I don't think he should have said that he wasn't taking the criticism on board. Saying that, Kyrgios made some good points that Nadal could learn from. I know Kyrgios was probably angry because he was called disrespectful & that probably provoked his defensive attack with the comment he wasn't considering the criticism. At the end of the day though we can learn a lot from constructive criticism. We 1st have to consider whether it's constructive or not, if it's not constructive we stand up for ourselves, if it's partially constructive we object to the non-constructive while learning from the constructive & putting it into practice & then move on & if it's completely constructive we learn from it & move on. We may have to admit we were wrong, apologise & explain in the process.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Just listening to our sports radio program here in Sydney which also goes to Perth,Queensland,Sydney and Melbourne,a poll was taken if Nick and John play each other in the s/final who would you want to win? 98% said John Millman,Nick is not loved here Down Under......mostly because media and fans think he does not respect the game of tennis.

I'm in the 2% minority because I wish Nick would win. And I don't live in Canberra/ACT so I'm not biased in any way. I find it surprising that Nick's reputation as a "bad boy" or "brat" can influence people's opinion so much. 98% is a lot. It almost feels like that crowd is simply stupid and does not care to understand the emotions and problems Nick has gone through in his career, and the big improvements he has done while working on his both on and off court behaviour. His fellow players as well as we herein, keep saying Nick is a "good guy" and many do like him for his easy going and friendly attitude. Yet the stupid 98% crowd seem to remember only the arguments with umpires at the very beginning of his career (the behaviour he mostly eradicated by now) and Kokkinakis controversy; how else their opinion could have been so wildly biased? Unbelievable how lazy people can be in their understanding of the world around them (tennis world in this case), and really an embarrassment to be living among such people. I would understand and accept if Millman's vs Kyrgios popularity was something like 60-40 or even 90-10, but 98-2 is just absurd. Such result could only be expected in something like Fed vs. Kyrgios polled from fans in Switzerland.

 

[lob]

Gutsy, wacky win from Nick. Say what you will about Kyrgios, but he makes for entertaining, dramatic tennis, when he's into it. He won the two most thrilling matches of the last 2 days.

Kyrgios is a gift to tennis. He plays beautiful tennis. IMO he brings in more money into it than anyone else in NextGen. Both for good and for bad reasons. But this is pro-tennis. He must play to win.

 

[Andy22]

If only N.kyrios would listen to that people are telling him He would be a top 10 player, and a high quality coach is long over due.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm in the 2% minority because I wish Nick would win. And I don't live in Canberra/ACT so I'm not biased in any way. I find it surprising that Nick's reputation as a "bad boy" or "brat" can influence people's opinion so much. 98% is a lot. It almost feels like that crowd is simply stupid and does not care to understand the emotions and problems Nick has gone through in his career, and the big improvements he has done while working on his both on and off court behaviour. His fellow players as well as we herein, keep saying Nick is a "good guy" and many do like him for his easy going and friendly attitude. Yet the stupid 98% crowd seem to remember only the arguments with umpires at the very beginning of his career (the behaviour he mostly eradicated by now) and Kokkinakis controversy; how else their opinion could have been so wildly biased? Unbelievable how lazy people can be in their understanding of the world around them (tennis world in this case), and really an embarrassment to be living among such people. I would understand and accept if Millman's vs Kyrgios popularity was something like 60-40 or even 90-10, but 98-2 is just absurd. Such result could only be expected in something like Fed vs. Kyrgios polled from fans in Switzerland.

I have followed Nick since his junior days and also Kokkinakis.Nick was always a quiet young man both on and off the court.I think that Aussie fans tend to compare any rising talent to former great tennis players eg Pat Rafter,so they expect them to act the same.Nick has always had great potential.I just hope he realizes it.Nick needs a new coach and also a trainer,he has openly admitted he dosent train all that much.Even as a junior he was always getting injuries.

 

[Federberg]

Here is what Rafa said:

"[Kyrgios] lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself."
"He's a player who has the talent to win Grand Slams - a player who can fight for the top rankings, but there's a reason he is where he is."
"He is a very dangerous player but lacks consistency."
"I don't think he's a bad guy. I think he's a good guy."

Every word true, and said in a respectful manner (adding in that last bit). And here's what Kyrgios had to say:

"He doesn't know the journey I have been through. He doesn't know anything about me so I'm not going to listen at all.
"That's the way I play. He's very slow in between points. The rule in the book says you have to play at the speed of the server. Rafa has the speed every time."
"I'm not going to comment on his game. He has got his game and I have got mine."

What a dumbass. He basically proved Rafa's point. Dude, have some respect - for tennis, for your elders--especially one of the greats like Rafa--and yourself.

To be honest I'm not sure Nick said anything wrong, he's telling it like it is. Rafa doesn't go at the servers pace, many have complained about it. I certainly recall both Roger and Roddick having issues with it to name but a few. What's wrong with him being real about it. It's entertaining. Why should he kiss ass?

 

[Federberg]

The bolded is your clearly not unbiased opinion. Nadal holds up a hand, and the top of your head comes off. No mention that I see of Federer's code violation for audible obscenity on the Dubai thread. Federer is no stranger to actual misbehavior on court, so don't make him out to be a saint.

Since when do we fans care about audibles Moxie? Come on... We tend to care about actions that might on their face be gamesmanship. I didn't watch the match so I can't say either way, just pointing out that your "whataboutism" seems a bit off base

 

[Moxie]

Since when do we fans care about audibles Moxie? Come on... We tend to care about actions that might on their face be gamesmanship. I didn't watch the match so I can't say either way, just pointing out that your "whataboutism" seems a bit off base

I know it's not a direct parallel, and I figured I'd catch some heat for it. But 10isfan was so up in arms over Nadal putting his hand up and even said, 'no wonder people love Fed more than him.' I needed to take that down a peg.

 

[Federberg]

I know it's not a direct parallel, and I figured I'd catch some heat for it. But 10isfan was so up in arms over Nadal putting his hand up and even said, 'no wonder people love Fed more than him.' I needed to take that down a peg.

Lol! As long as you knew what you were in for..

 

[Moxie]

I have followed Nick since his junior days and also Kokkinakis.Nick was always a quiet young man both on and off the court.I think that Aussie fans tend to compare any rising talent to former great tennis players eg Pat Rafter,so they expect them to act the same.Nick has always had great potential.I just hope he realizes it.Nick needs a new coach and also a trainer,he has openly admitted he dosent train all that much.Even as a junior he was always getting injuries.

The New Yorker did a piece on Nick a couple of years ago. (I put in a hyperlink, but not sure if you need a subscription to read it.) Nick mentioned that Murray and he had become friends, and that he called and offered for Nick to train with him.

'Still, Kyrgios is not like Murray, who is one of the hardest workers on tour. Murray recently invited Kyrgios to join him for a training period. “That was a quick no for me, because I know he’s going to be training four, five hours a day,” Kyrgios said. “We were probably going to have to be doing these protein shakes.”''

I know it's both naughty and bad, but it also kind of made me laugh. Nobody can seem to decide if Nick makes a show of not caring, or if he really doesn't. His H2H with Isner shows a lot of TBs, but I wonder if he might just make mincemeat of him tonight.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The New Yorker did a piece on Nick a couple of years ago. (I put in a hyperlink, but not sure if you need a subscription to read it.) Nick mentioned that Murray and he had become friends, and that he called and offered for Nick to train with him.

'Still, Kyrgios is not like Murray, who is one of the hardest workers on tour. Murray recently invited Kyrgios to join him for a training period. “That was a quick no for me, because I know he’s going to be training four, five hours a day,” Kyrgios said. “We were probably going to have to be doing these protein shakes.”''

I know it's both naughty and bad, but it also kind of made me laugh. Nobody can seem to decide if Nick makes a show of not caring, or if he really doesn't. His H2H with Isner shows a lot of TBs, but I wonder if he might just make mincemeat of him tonight.

At the end of the day it is really up to the person if they care or not I believe.Maybe I am showing my 'mature age now' I find the younger people today are like 'that's me,like it or lump it' attitude.I usually would not watch a Isner match,I prefer to watch wet paint dry quite frankly I think Nick will win the match he has more upside than Isner.T/breaks here we come

 

[Moxie]

At the end of the day it is really up to the person if they care or not I believe.Maybe I am showing my 'mature age now' I find the younger people today are like 'that's me,like it or lump it' attitude.I usually would not watch a Isner match,I prefer to watch wet paint dry quite frankly I think Nick will win the match he has more upside than Isner.T/breaks here we come

I'll watch that match because Kyrgios is playing. This is part of the point of him: he's box-office. I'm with you on feeling like it's not admirable that some players will find their water-level and take the money. I feel gratitude to the ones that put their heart and soul into it, that have the ambition and dedication. And then there are the quirky ones. The very talented who wander around in indecision about how much they care. It seems ungrateful, to a sport that makes them rich, but they can only do what they do. (Kyrgios, Safin, Nalbandian, amongst others, come to mind.)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'll watch that match because Kyrgios is playing. This is part of the point of him: he's box-office. I'm with you on feeling like it's not admirable that some players will find their water-level and take the money. I feel gratitude to the ones that put their heart and soul into it, that have the ambition and dedication. And then there are the quirky ones. The very talented who wander around in indecision about how much they care. It seems ungrateful, to a sport that makes them rich, but they can only do what they do. (Kyrgios, Safin, Nalbandian, amongst others, come to mind.)

Safin made me turn to drink,so did his sister

 

[El Dude]

The fun thing about Kyrgios is you really have no idea whether he's going to win any match against any opponent. He can beat Rafa in one match and then lose to some scrub in the next.

 

[Moxie]

Nick gets the break but...uh oh...he's antagonizing and engaging the crowd.