Nick Kyrgios Opens Up On 'Most Uncomfortable Experience' Involving Serena Williams

Nick Kyrgios has described playing mixed doubles with legendary Serena Williams as the "most uncomfortable experience" before suggesting he was "better" than her.

Back in 2014, Kyrgios and Serena teamed up for the Singapore Slammers at the International Premier Tennis League, taking on Kirsten Flipkens and Daniel Nestor in mixed doubles. The two struggled to match each other’s game as Kyrgios and Serena lost the game 6-3.

"I’ve hit with Serena before. 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!'" Kyrgios was quoted by Yahoo Sport, as saying on his podcast 'No Boundaries' earlier this week.

The 26-year-old Aussie star has played mixed doubles with both William sisters. Kyrgios teamed up with Venus earlier this year at Wimbledon. In contrast to his comments regarding the 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena, Kyrgios had described playing 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," Kyrgios 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," added Kyrgios.

Unfortunately, Venus and Kyrgios had to withdraw after just one match together after the Australian suffered an abdominal injury while playing singles. Following that, he crashed out of the US Open after losing in the opening round. Kyrgios then competed for Team World at the Laver Cup for the fourth straight year, losing both his singles and doubles matches.

His 2021 season ended at Laver Cup after he announced he had suffered a knee issue that would keep him out for a while. It is understood that Kyrgios is now aiming to make a comeback at his home Grand Slam in the 2022 Australian Open.