Kyrgios hits back after Nadal loss

The 26-year-old threw his racket following his loss which forced a ball-boy to take evasive action, however the star defended his actions and said it couldn’t be compared to Alexander Zverev’s meltdown in Mexico.

"Did I throw my racquet anywhere near him (the ballboy) originally," Kyrgios said to AFP. "It landed a meter from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him.

"I'm human. Things happen like that. It was an accident. It most definitely wasn't like Zverev. It was a complete accident. I didn't hit him, thankfully. It wasn't my intention.

"So, thankfully, he's OK."

SEE THE VIDEO OF KYRGIOS THROWING HIS RACKET BELOW:

Kyrgios had played good tennis to reach the quarter-finals and didn’t drop a set in his march to the last eight. Given his tumultuous track-record he feels that jumping on his indiscretion rather than his tennis is an easy and inevitable outcome.

"People like you spoil sport," he said to a journalist who asked about his post-match rant.

"It's not fair, but at the same time that's just the type of personality I am to the sport.

"I played three bloody good matches. I beat one of the guys that had like nearly 60 wins last year and no one remembered that. And everyone will just remember that time where Kyrgios lost to Rafa at Indian Wells or the time that he threw the racket.”

Nadal, who didn’t see the incident felt that Kyrgios provided him with a substantial test which saw the Spanish star win 7-6 5-7 6-4.

"I think Nick had a great attitude during the whole match in terms of fighting spirit, and of course he has his personality, his character," Nadal said.

"Sometimes he does things that I don't like, but I respect because of different character, different kind of points of view, and different kind of education."

Nadal has now taken his unbeaten run in 2022 to 19 matches and faces up-and-coming Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals at Indian Wells.