Rafael Nadal sensationally claimed Nick Kyrgios needed to show more respect, but what was he referring to? Kyrgios displayed some of his best form when beating Nadal in a tight three-setter at the Mexican Open on Wednesday in Acapulco, but the high-quality spectacle didn’t translate into positive words for the former world No.13. There were several flashpoints in the match, most notably a strange moment in the third set when Kyrgios attempted an underarm serve. Kyrgios’ underarm serve. Image: Tennis TV Nadal was standing so far behind the baseline to receive that Kyrgios figured he’d effectively try a drop shot with a first serve. Nadal was standing so far back. Image: TennisTV The rare tactic is well within the rules, but Nadal seemed ticked off. Nadal also appeared incensed when Kyrgios complained about the time this year’s Australian Open runner-up was taking between points on the Canberran’s serve. Nick Kyrgios complained about Nadal’s stalling tactics. (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images) It prompted Nadal to say in a post-match media conference that Kyrgios should be fighting for grand slams under the No.1 ranking but “lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself”. Some fans suggested the underarm serve was the catalyst for Nadal’s criticism. I have NEVER seen Rafa not dedicate time & care to the handshake and be anything but respectful to his opponents. Read EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE into that. Did the absolute bare minimum – kinda like Kyrgios does in his respect every match. Underarm serves? Seriously? 💩 https://t.co/dh4mo1laqV — maddie (@_maddie_) February 28, 2019 Wait, Kyrgios sends Nadal an underarm serve and we’re out here saying Nadal’s handshake was disrespectful? — Dan Hatch 🎾 (@Daniel_Hatch) February 28, 2019 An underarm serve against Rafa!!?! I actually read (on Instagram yesterday) someone suggested to NK to do this, but I honestly never thought he’d stoop so low as to actually do it. And he wonders why people hate him (I’m referring to the entire list below). #Kyrgios #Nadal https://t.co/hEgaEVpk07 — Cornish Bird (@BirdCornish) February 28, 2019 Underarm serve from Kyrgios, serving when Rafa wasn’t ready and complaining about it etc — Olly (@Olly_ATP_2019) February 28, 2019 However the vast majority believed Kyrgios was well within his rights. Story continues The much talked-about underarm serve by Nick Kyrgios landed out – but hopefully this is not the first and only time this season we see an opponent of Rafael Nadal try it. https://t.co/MpfvFSH3oC — Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 28, 2019 This underarm serve from Kyrgios was a delight even though it didn't work https://t.co/1A7xbm63AD — P a t r i c e (@dramarogi) February 28, 2019 I don’t understand why people complain about Kyrgios being disrespectful to Nadal because he performed an underarm serve when Nadal was standing 100 meters away from the baseline I see it more as a strategy thing and that way of serving is completely legal. I would have done it. — Tadeo™ (@TadeoRuggiero) February 28, 2019 Who blames kyrgios when goes for the underarm serve? (Guy in purple is nadal, not a line judge) pic.twitter.com/StVK4M72vl — FedExpress #20 (@TennisPhan2) February 28, 2019 The funniest thing about the underarm serve (apart from it missing) is that, had it gone in, Nadal would have got to it with ease, even from his deep position. Pretty sure Nadal would love it if he faced more underarm serves vs huge Kyrgios bombs. https://t.co/1XdKV9Yj67 — Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) February 28, 2019 No wonder Kyrgios slipped in the underarm serve – not disrespectful at all, a legitimate tactic considering where Nadal stands on return of serve #tennis #AMT2019 https://t.co/9BioTalpOt — Neil Daly (@NeilWDaly) February 28, 2019 Don't understand the crowd booing Kyrgios for the underarm serve AT ALL. Legitimate tactic if Nadal is gonna return from Oaxaca #acapulcoopen #Kyrgios #ATPTour — Jeff McMillan (@j_j_j_t_m) February 28, 2019 Kyrgios hits back Responding after Nadal’s comments, Kyrgios seemed non-plussed. “I’m different. Rafa’s different. He can focus on what he needs to do,” Kyrgios said. “He doesn’t know the journey I’ve been through. He doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all.” Kyrgios, one of the fastest players on tour between points, then took aim at Nadal, who is among the slowest. “It’s the way I play. It’s the way he plays – he’s very slow between points and I think that the rule in the book is that you have to play to the speed of the server but Rafa has the speed every time,” Kyrgios said. “I’m not going to comment on him, his game. I’ve got my game; he’s got his own game. We played well – that’s the sport. People are different – I’m not going to take that into consideration at all.” with AAP<doc-sep>Once you have subscribed we will use the email you provided to send you the newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter email. Nick Kyrgios caused uproar Wednesday night when during his match with Rafael Nadal, when he cheekily tried an underarm serve catch the Spaniard off guard, but Swiss great Roger Federer has now defended the tactic as the world turns on Kyrgios once more. Kyrgios pulled the move about halfway through the match on Tuesday night, as Nadal characteristically hugged the back of the court. Attempting to catch the Spaniard out, he served the ball underarm to drop the ball just over the net and out of reach of his opponent. The move came on the way to the Australian's shock victory 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6). Much of the tennis world considered the effort an attempt to rile up the former world number one Nadal and the Spaniard himself even slated Kyrgios for it. But the Australian replied to the claim saying "I mean isn’t the idea to serve where the person can’t get the ball? Try to get an ace?" The sentiment was echoed by Roger Federer following his quarter-final success over Martin Fucsovics. "Underarm is definitely a tactic, I believe," said the Swiss great, per the Metro. "From that standpoint, [you] shouldn’t be ashamed if you try it out. "[You] just look silly if you miss it sometimes. Why not try it? The problem is in practice, you never really try it. When you come out in the big stage in front of a full crowd, [it is] tricky to pull off." Even with the support of Federer, Kyrgios will still come under scrutiny after his win. Attempts to make a show of the match by cupping his ear to the crowd and being accused of feigning an injury to delay the game will not go down well with the fans. As Nadal accurately pointed out after their match on Tuesday: "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." With the ability he has Kyrgios might want to focus his attention on clever tactics and less on riling fans if he wants to match the dizzy heights of his natural talent. News Now - Sport News<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Kyrgios got underneath Rafael Nadal’s skin yesterday by underarm serving during his last-16 win against the world No 2. Nadal claimed Kyrgios “lacks respect” and shunned him with a frosty handshake at the end of the match. And it seems the Australian had his own grip with Nadal as he mentioned the Spaniard during his quarter-final win over Stan Wawrinka this morning. Kyrgios needed to receive treatment for a grazed hand early on and it was met with boos from the crowd.<doc-sep>NIck Kyrgios has found an unlikely ally in Roger Federer over his controversial use of an underarm serve in his Mexico Open victory over Rafael Nadal on Thursday. The same reaction didn't echo with Nadal who accused the much-maligned Australian of lacking respect for his opponents as the Spaniard went down in a three-set thriller. As Nadal stood deep behind the baseline, so deep he was almost touching the wall, a cheeky Kyrgios tried to sneak an underarm serve in to steal a cheap point, to which he failed miserably. Federer deemed the play lawful in his book and admitted he would have no hesitations in attempting it if the opportunity arose. ''Underarm is definitely a tactic I believe,'' Federer said after reaching the Dubai Championship semi-finals. “Especially when guys are hugging the fence in the back. From that standpoint (players) shouldn’t be ashamed to try it out. “You just look silly if you miss it sometimes. But why not try it? “The problem is in practice, you never really try it. When you come out in the big stage in front of a full crowd, [it is] tricky to pull off.” MORE: Nick Kyrgios rips into distasteful Mexican Open crowd after unjustified booing: 'This is f***ing insane' Kyrgios was forced to defend himself on social media as the critics lined up with abuse after his win. “That’s the only reason for doing it,” he said in a Facebook comment. “I mean isn’t the idea to serve where the person can’t get the ball? Try to get an ace?” The divisive serving tactics gave the Mexican Open crowd a reason to loathe him as booing was a common theme in his quarter-final triumph over Stan Wawrinka on Friday. Drama followed the 23-year-old throughout the match, including numerous blow-ups at the crowd and a heated exchange with chair umpire Damian Steiner over his roaring celebrations.<doc-sep>
Mexican Open: Kyrgios performs underarm serve against Nadal On Wednesday, Kyrgios stunned Nadal in the Mexican Open as he won 3-6 7-6 7-6 in a match that took over three hours. Whilst serving, Kyrgios attempted to take advantage of Nadal’s deep position and hit an underarm serve, which missed the service box. The incident clearly rattled Nadal, who said Kyrgios “lacks respect for the public, the rival and towards himself”. However, Kyrgios was unapologetic saying: “I’m different, Rafa’s different, he can focus on what he needs to do. “He doesn’t know the journey I’ve been through, he doesn’t know anything about me so I’m not going to listen at all. “It’s the way I play, it’s the way he plays. “He’s very slow between points. There’s a rule in the books that 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 his game, I have my game.” Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal clashed over the underarm serve Kevin Anderson gave his view on the incident Nick Kyrgios says beating Rafael Nadal gives him 'confidence' While Roger Federer appeared to give his support for Kyrgios adding: “Yeah, underarm is definitely a tactic, I believe. “Especially when guys are hugging the fence in the back. From that standpoint, shouldn’t be ashamed if you try it out. Just look silly if you miss it sometimes. “Why not try it? The problem is like in practice, you never really try it. “When you come out in the big stage in front of a full crowd, tricky to pull off.”