Nick Kyrgios spills on 'uncomfortable' run-in with Serena Williams
Nick Kyrgios has opened up about playing mixed doubles with Serena Williams in 2014, describing it as "the most uncomfortable experience".
Kyrgios and Williams teamed up for the Singapore Slammers at the International Premier Tennis League in 2014, taking on Kirsten Flipkens and Daniel Nestor in mixed doubles.
'PANDORA'S BOX': China blasts WTA over $1.4 billion withdrawal
'HAVE TO RESIGN': Tennis world rages over $4.2 billion 'disgrace'
Kyrgios and Williams went down 6-3 to their opponents, with the Aussie star unable to mesh well with the 23-time grand slam champion.
Speaking on his new podcast 'No Boundaries' this week, Kyrgios said he felt "uncomfortable" because he thought he was a better player than Williams.
“I’ve hit with Serena before," he said.
"I played mixed doubles with her at IPTL and it was the most uncomfortable experience for me because she was trying to do everything.
"And I was like ‘I’m better than you’.
“There are some sports where the levels [between men and women] are quite similar.
"But deep down I was like ‘Serena you have to get me involved here, we’re getting snipped, give me the ball!’”
Nick Kyrgios also played mixed doubles with Venus Williams
The 26-year-old has played mixed doubles with both Williams sisters, teaming up with Venus at Wimbledon earlier this year.
In contrast, Kyrgios described the link-up with Venus as a "dream come true".
"She's obviously a legend. To see her still gracing the courts of Wimbledon, winning matches at 41. I don't think I'll be able to honestly hit another ball. She's a legend," he said at the time.
"We've been planning to play for a while now at grand slams. It just never worked out.
"I'm not sure how long she'll play for, so before she kind of gives it up, I do want to experience playing with one of the Williams sisters in mixed doubles.
"Honestly that's like a dream come true for me. They've been around for so, so long.
"I think it will be a bit of fun. I think we're a bit of a danger pair as well if we serve well. The crowd will definitely get behind us.
"Maybe she can teach me some of that calm, the water-type energy that's out there.
"I don't think she ever thought back in the day she'd be playing mixed doubles with the bad boy of tennis."
Unfortunately the pair had to withdraw after just one match together after Kyrgios was injured while playing singles.
“I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about the fact that I might have to tell Venus Williams that I can’t play mixed doubles because of an injury,” Kyrgios told reporters at Wimbledon.
“It’s brutal for me because … I’ve now taken another day of her time. She’s been here, she could have been planning other things. It’s brutal."
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
