Nick Kyrgios shared a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) wishing Rafael Nadal a quick recovery. However, fans were not happy with him referring to his own injury struggles in the post. They slammed the Australian for ‘making it about him’.
Nadal made a comeback after a year out, playing the Brisbane International to prepare for the 2024 Australian Open. Unfortunately, he ended up injuring himself during his quarter-final defeat. He confirmed a micro tear in his muscle, announcing his withdrawal from the first slam of the season.
Tributes and wishes poured in from the tennis community and Kyrgios also joined in. He sympathised with Nadal before adding that he feared rushing into a return and aggravating his injury issues or relapsing like the Spaniard.
Feel for Rafa man get better soon, that was the fear for me as well, coming back a little too soon…
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 7, 2024
While Kyrgios’ message had seemingly genuine intentions, fans on social media attacked him for inserting his situation into the post.
This guy always has to make it about him lmao@DollaaaaDame
— TM (@TheMullerLad25) January 7, 2024
Is there anything you won’t be making about yourself?!
— FeloniMacaroni (@FeloniM) January 7, 2024
Because it’s all about you
— dam pic (@dpic69) January 7, 2024
First 7 words was more than enough, obviously not enough to make it about you tho
— Ben (@bwhite789) January 7, 2024
— Gougher (@GougherA) January 7, 2024
https://t.co/xQaDlKzdpv pic.twitter.com/f7TZHOOcZY
— Marifer (@MFSM_89) January 7, 2024
doing everything to make it about himself, it’s so impressive https://t.co/uMkdK0VPpC
— Greg (@gregariousone_) January 7, 2024
how did he still manage to make it about himself oh please https://t.co/XTX6HeRd0p
— ★ chiara ★ (@loveruusuvuori) January 7, 2024
How do you manage to make every single about yourself? ✋ https://t.co/Hkpmwjqams
— Sabelo (@SabeloMncwabe) January 7, 2024
Oh, Rafa is injured, what a shame… But enough about him, let’s talk about myself!! https://t.co/m5hosnYfvn
— TheNewGen (@thenewgenatp) January 7, 2024
https://t.co/mX88VB9kCY pic.twitter.com/YdAZApAbQC
— brenna (@dirtbagleftfoot) January 7, 2024
More fans implored him to stop comparing himself to Nadal.
It’s not about you Nick, it’s about Rafa. He wants to play tennis pic.twitter.com/qRbWboCoXv
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) January 7, 2024
You will never play as many matches, at the same continual intensity or be the calibre of Rafa!!!!
— Buttons (@cliffy66) January 7, 2024
Atleast think once before comparing yourself with the great Rafael Nadal.
— shayar (@TencricF1) January 7, 2024
Stop comparing yourself with Rafa. You’ve been milking this injury for a year now. No one believes you
— And1 (@long_shot_45) January 7, 2024
Do you compare yourself to Rafael? it’s a joke?? You are the opposite of him! He will go down in history for his passion, his mental strength and for never giving up. All that is what you are not!
— CrIsTinA (@chobar1986) January 8, 2024
Not fit to be in the same sentence as Rafa
— JJLB (@jenjerlebogg) January 7, 2024
Nick Kyrgios injury issues seem more severe than Rafael Nadal
Nick Kyrgios played only one match in 2023. Even Rafael Nadal played twice last year, in addition to three more in 2024 before his comeback was cut short. The only time the maverick Aussie took the the court in the previous season was in the Stuttgart Open. He lost his opening clash in straight sets to Yibing Wu of China.
The first half of Kyrgios’ 2023 season was hampered by a recurring knee injury. He underwent surgery and was slated to return in three months. However, he suffered a blow to his foot during an alleged robbery attempt at his house (via The Guardian). He missed French Open as a result, only to return in Stuttgart. The latter half of his year was affected by wrist issues, primarily a ligament tear during training. He pulled out of the 2024 Australian Open and a return during the grass season is on the cards.
Nadal, meanwhile, showed flashes of being back to his best during his Brisbane International run. However, his muscle injury, different than what he suffered last year, will keep him out for three months.
