Showing Rare Focus, Nick Kyrgios Still Falls to Rafael Nadal

They have clashed in the past, but they were united in purpose on a cool, gusty Monday evening at the Australian Open. Tennis was the beneficiary as Nadal prevailed, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), in a duel that was rich in both razzle-dazzle and grit, just as it was when they faced each other at Wimbledon last year.

Deep in their bones, both craved victory in this fourth-round match in Rod Laver Arena — yes, even Kyrgios, who has been on a mission in 2020, inspired in part by tragedy.

With bushfires ravaging vast stretches of Australia, including many areas near his home city of Canberra, he has been involved in raising funds and awareness. On Monday, he was also intent on honoring Kobe Bryant, the retired N.B.A. star who died in a helicopter accident near Los Angeles on Sunday.

An avid fan of the Boston Celtics and the N.B.A. in general, Kyrgios arrived on court fighting back tears while wearing Bryant’s No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers jersey.

“When I woke up to the news, it was pretty emotional,” Kyrgios said. “It was pretty heavy, like all day.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/sports/tennis/nadal-kyrgios-australian-open.html?emc=rss&partner=rss