Nick Kyrgios has brutally confessed that he always “hated and despised” Rafael Nadal during his playing days.

The Australian famously had his breakthrough as a teenage wildcard at Wimbledon 10 years ago when he beat Nadal.

There’s been no love lost between the pair ever since, with Kyrgios previously underarm-serving his rival and admitting to trying to hit the Spaniard with a ball on purpose.

Nadal’s career officially came to an end at last month’s Davis Cup Finals as Spain crashed out in the quarter-final. The 22-time Major winner was in tears as he addressed the crowd and watched a special tribute video.

Even Kyrgios was moved by Nadal’s farewell. “I got emotional about it. Weirdly emotional about it. It’s so weird seeing these guys go,” the former No. 13 told the Nothing Major podcast, which is hosted by retired stars Jack Sock, John Isner, Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson.

But the co-hosts quickly reminded the Aussie that he was never the biggest fan of Nadal. And Kyrgios showed no mercy as he shared how he truly felt about the Spaniard during his playing days.

“Couldn’t stand him,” the 2022 Wimbledon finalist said. “I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around.

“He was probably one guy that always motivated me. I was like, if I played him, I’d try and get up for it. I’d try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. But I didn’t feel that anger towards Federer or Novak when I played them.”

Explaining why he held such a grudge towards Nadal, the 29-year-old continued: “When I played Rafa, I don’t know. I guess because everyone in my academies back home idolised him.

“They were like, ‘He’s such a hard worker. He’s this, he’s that.’ And I was like, ‘I can’t stand this guy. I can’t stand him.’ I wanted to show people that you could just be chilled and have fun and beat someone like that.”

But even Kyrgios has struggled to come to terms with the former No. 1’s retirement. “But I mean, did you see that tribute they played at the Davis Cup for him? I got a bit emotional for him,” he added.

It’s a surprising U-turn, given how heated their rivalry was. The seven-time title winner tried to hit Nadal with a ball during their 2019 Wimbledon match and refused to apologise.

After losing in four sets, he said: “Why would I apologise? “I didn’t hit him. Hit his racket, no? Why would I apologise? I won the point.

“I mean, the dude has got how many Slams, how much money in the bank? I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I’m not going to apologise to him at all. Yeah, I was going for him. Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he’s got decent hands.”

Earlier that same year, Kyrgios beat the 38-year-old en route to the title at the ATP 500 in Acapulco, famously using an underarm serve against Nadal, who stood far behind the baseline to return.

Nadal later claimed his rival “lacks respect for the public, the rival and himself” but added: “He is a very dangerous player but lacks consistency. I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I think he’s a good guy.”