Nick Kyrgios went for broke and conceded he was "shattered" following his gripping Australian Open fourth-round loss to Rafael Nadal.
The world No. 1 smacked 64 winners—14 more than the explosive Aussie—in a dynamic 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) charging into his 12th Australian Open quarterfinal in stirring style.
Watch: Nadal Edges Kyrgios
A candid Kyrgios said he was both shattered and strengthened by his second straight Grand Slam loss to Nadal. The 19-time Grand Slam champion topped Kyrgios by the same score at Wimbledon last summer.
I'm shattered to have lost tonight," said Kyrgios, who is still alive in mixed doubles with partner Amanda Anisimova. Obviously was one of the matches these are the matches that I want to win the most. But, I mean, overall all this summer has been fun.
"My focus shifts to mixed now. Yeah, I mean, I just want to go out there and have fun. I'm still in the tournament. I'm not going to take it for granted, another day at the Australian Open. "
The 23rd-seeded Kyrgios, who is playing under ATP probation after his racquet-smashing tirade in Cincinnati last summer, found purpose playing for a cause down under. Kyrgios' hometown of Canberra was devastated by bushfires, which have ravaged the country.
Kyrgios pledged $200 to bushfire relief for every ace he hits during this Aussie summer season and helped inspire the AO's Rally For Relief charity exhibition that raised more than AU$5 million for bushfire relief. AO fans shared the love for Kyrgios.
"Yeah, I feel like I've made progress as a human," Kyrgios said. "A tennis player, I don't really care about as much. But yeah, I mean, I feel good. Obviously today was horrendous, like the news. But I want to keep going in this direction, for sure."
The latest installment of a ferocious rivalry came after the temperamental Aussie admitted he tried drilling Nadal "square in the chest" during his second-round Wimbledon loss last summer. Then Kyrgios mocked Nadal's pre-serve ritual earlier this week by picking at the seat of his shorts.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Nadal, who called Kyrgios' actions "dangerous" at Wimbledon, said after tonight's triumph his opinion of the sometime volatile Kyrgios remains unchanged: when Kyrgios is committed and playing with positive energy he's an asset to the sport.
"I am never against his way or style to play," Nadal said. "When I criticize him in the past is because I think he did a couple of things that are not right and are not the right image for our sport and for the kids. But when he's doing the right things, I am the first one who support this.
"Personally I saw him playing during the whole tournament almost every match, and he has been great, with very positive attitude. Personally, I like to watch him play when he's doing that way. I think everybody likes to watch Nick plays when he's able to play like this. His talent is to be one of the best of the world, without a doubt, with good chances to fight for every tournament. "
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve