Australian Open 2020 news - Mats Wilander: Nick Kyrgios' rivalry with Rafael Nadal is over

Updated 27/01/2020 at 18:06 GMT

The feud between Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios is over, declared Eurosport expert Mats Wilander, after their thrilling Australian Open showdown on Monday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) shakes hands with Australia's Nick Kyrgios after their men's singles match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2020.

Image credit: Getty Images

World number one Nadal came through a pulsating encounter 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

The build-up was dominated by the pair’s chequered history, dating back to the 2014 Wimbledon fourth round when Kyrgios stunned Nadal on Centre Court.

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Wilander: We can forget the Kyrgios-Nadal rivalry - that doesn't exist

Kyrgios has since branded the Spaniard a sore loser and "super salty", while Nadal has criticised the Australian’s behaviour.

However, Wilander feels that any bad feeling between the pair was buried after their fourth-round match on Rod Laver Arena.

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"There were nerves involved, great shot-making skills involved, and even a few smiles between the two players," Wilander said on Game, Schett and Mats.

"We can forget that rivalry they had, that doesn’t exist anymore, there is respect between the two.

"Nadal had some great words to say about Nick after the match, where if he keeps this positive attitude he’s one of the most talented players on this Tour. Hopefully Kyrgios takes this and realises that this is what he should be doing."

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Reflecting on an epic third-set rally between the pair, Wilander added: "They were both smiling at the end of that. That’s when I realised these guys have made up somehow.

"Maybe it was the Rally for Relief that Kyrgios organised, Nadal came out and it seemed everybody realised Kyrgios had a big heart, he just doesn’t always care about winning tennis matches.

"A match like this, the support from the Australian crowd, now the support from the locker room, and even Nadal, hopefully that gets Kyrgios to realise this is what he should be doing in his life – try hard on a tennis court, and good things will happen for it off the court as well."

Nadal, who will meet fifth seed Dominic Thiem for a place in the last four, also praised Kyrgios for his performances throughout the tournament.

Nadal: Kyrgios is vital for this sport - I only criticise when his actions are wrong

"When he wants to play tennis, when he is focused on what he is doing, he is a very important player for our sport," Nadal added.

"I am never against his way or style to play, when I criticise him in the past it’s because he did a couple of things that are not right, or the right image for our sport or for the kids.

"When he’s doing the right things I am the first to support this. I saw him playing during the whole tournament and he has been great, very positive, and personally I like to watch him play when he’s doing it that way.

"I think everybody likes to watch Nick play when he is able to play like this. His talent is to be one of the best in the world without a doubt, with a chance to fight for every tournament."