"So sad about Rafael Nadal, now how can I make this about me" - Nick Kyrgios' reaction to Spaniard's Australian Open withdrawal amuses fans

Nick Kyrgios empathized with Rafael Nadal after he was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open. Kyrgios stated that "coming back too soon" from a long injury lay-off was tricky for both himself and the Spaniard. Tennis fans, however, felt that the 28-year-old's message was an indication of an inflated sense of self-importance.

On Saturday (January 7), Nadal withdrew from the Melbourne Slam due to a micro tear in his left hip muscle. Incidentally, the Spaniard had injured his left hip at the same tournament last year, following which he took a long break from professional tennis.

Nadal was in a race against time to be fit for the 2024 ATP Tour season as he completed his rehabilitation. During his first tournament back in Brisbane, the 37-year-old displayed some top-quality tennis before losing to home favorite Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinal.

Nick Kyrgios took to his X (formerly Twitter) account later to wish Rafael Nadal a speedy recovery. The Aussie himself has been out of commission for months due to a wrist injury, and he said he had reservations about returning too early.

"Feel for Rafa man, get better soon, that was the fear for me as well, coming back a little too soon," Kyrgios wrote on X.

Nick Kyrgios' reaction, however, caused many in the tennis community to claim that the Aussie had a habit of making every topic in tennis about himself. One fan even suggested that his behavior was worth a study by researchers.

"His special skill of inserting himself in every situation needs to be studied," the fan wrote.

Another fan said tongue-in-cheek that the rate at which the 28-year-old found ways to stroke his own ego was "impressive."

"Doing everything to make it about himself, it's so impressive."

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

Nick Kyrgios yet to reveal 2024 return date, hasn't played on the ATP Tour since last June

Nick Kyrgios hits a forehand at the 2022 Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios is currently completing his rehabilitation from a wrist injury which forced him to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open. The Aussie recently announced that he would be missing this year's edition of the Grand Slam tournament as well.

Nick Kyrgios stated on his OnlyFans account (via ESPN):

"Obviously had a really tough year with injury, had that knee surgery and came back a little bit too soon and set me back a little bit, then obviously had some wrist issues. So this is a very disappointing time for me, but I won't be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open."

The former Wimbledon finalist had also injured his knee after his quarterfinal run at the 2022 US Open. He has played just three matches on the pro tour since then, and is yet to disclose a definitive return date from his injury layoff.