Rafael Nadal: Nick Kyrgios refuses Mexican Open retirement because of MEDIA fears

Kyrgios complained of feeling unwell after the first set, which Nadal won 6-3 on Cancha Central.

But the much-maligned Australian, who noticeably appeared to be struggling towards the end of the first set, decided not to throw in the towel after a medical time-out.

Amazon Prime’s live match coverage caught Kyrgios saying to his trainers: “I’m gonna get booed off the court! But I feel so sick man.” 

He added: “I’m gonna try to play a couple of more games.”

Cameras showed the 23-year-old continuously shaking his head in conversation and he also declared that he did not want to retire due to the reaction he would get from the media. 

Kyrgios said: “If I forfeit, the media will blow it up.”

Bernard Tomic, Amanda Anisimova, Feliciano Lopez and Katie Boulter have all retired or withdrawn from Acapulco due to illness already.

But Kyrgios seemed to overcome his struggles in the second set. His body language improving as he began to take the game to world No 2 Nadal while he produced several stunning shots, including an incredible backhand. 

In the first round, Kyrgios beat Italy’s Andreas Seppi, 6-3, 7-5, while Nadal overcame Mischa Zverev, 6-3, 6-3.

This the first meeting between the pair since October 2017 and the sixth overall, with Nadal boasting a superior 3-2 record.

More to follow.

source: express.co.uk