Nick Kyrgios seemingly shades Sebastian Baez but then adds: 'Was a compliment'



by DZEVAD MESIC

Nick Kyrgios seemingly shades Sebastian Baez but then adds: 'Was a compliment'

Nick Kyrgios seemingly shaded Sebastian Baez twice during the 22-year-old's run in Cordoba but then insisted he was complimenting the Argentine. After Baez defeated Luca Darderi in the Cordoba first round, tennis journalist Jose Morgado tweeted about Baez recording his first win of the year and also reaching his first ATP quarterfinal since July.

Kyrgios reacted to the post with a "lol."

A few days later, Baez defeated world No 138 Hugo Dellien 6-4 6-4 to reach the Cordoba final. After Morgado tweeted about Baez's "big week", Kyrgios reacted: "Great quality."

Kyrgios insists: 'Was actually a compliment'

One person wasn't impressed by Kyrgios' action and asked the Australian why he felt the need to belittle Baez.

Kyrgios responded: "Was actually a compliment (face with tears of joy emoji)."

Meanwhile, Baez won his second ATP final in Cordoba after beating Federico Coria in the final.

Last year, Baez defeated Frances Tiafoe in the Estoril final to lift his first ATP title. In Cordoba, Baez made his second ATP final but the first in front of his home fans. “I think to be [good] on the difficult moments, because he has had confidence this week.

He beat good opponents, so I know it was a tough and close match and I’m happy to take it, in the difficult moments, to be better than him," Baez said, per the ATP website. Also, Baez admitted that reaching a final in front of his home fans meant a lot to him.

“It means a lot, but [it brings] confidence. I have my people here, my friends, my family, everything, so that is a big motivation for me. Tomorrow is a difficult match but I’m happy to be in another final again," Baez said about reaching his first ATP final in Argentina.

On the other side, Kyrgios is recovering from a knee surgery. Kyrgios, who missed the entire Australian swing, is hoping to be able to play in March at the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Nick Kyrgios Sebastian Baez