TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 21st of January 2015. N.Kyrgios d. I.Karlovic 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. An interview with Nick Kyrgios
Q. Did you feel good out there tonight?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, it was a lot of fun. The crowd was really good. I remember it from last year. I played my first round out there. Thanasi said it was going to be a crazy atmosphere. I thought it was a good performance.
Q. Physically and mentally did you feel better than in round one?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah. I knew it was going to be tough. Serving is the main thing that does trouble the back. I knew it was going to be mentally tough as well. He has the best serve on tour I think. I think he hit 37 aces. I knew what I had to do out there to get the job done. I was really happy with that.
Q. The atmosphere on Rod Laver compared to a show court is a lot different. Do you have a preference either way?
NICK KYRGIOS: No, I don’t mind. I guess when you play on a show court you know it’s going to get a bit more rowdy, a bit more out of control I think. I’ve never actually played on Rod apart from my junior final against Thanasi. The crowd was pretty empty for that. Yeah, I’ve never experienced that, so I can’t give you that answer.
Q. Do you feel the crowd is giving the Australian players an advantage?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, they’re getting behind us. I think it’s tough right now when you have Groth versus Kokkinakis, who to go for. But, yeah, I think they’re helping the Aussies a lot.
Q. Did you put in a request for a show court or…
NICK KYRGIOS: No, I didn’t put a request for any court. I just saw I was on Show Court 3. It’s a good court. I’m not going to complain. It’s a Grand Slam. Yeah, it was a really good court.
Q. What do we take from your hair? What does it tell us about your personality? Tell us a little bit about your eyebrow, too.
NICK KYRGIOS: I don’t know. I guess it’s just youth. You know, you’re not going to see Roger or Novak doing things like this. I don’t know. Just doing it.
Q. It’s a bit of fun for you, too?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I guess. I got sort of known for having some lines in my hair at some stage last year. It’s my last Grand Slam as a teenager. I don’t think I’ll be doing this stuff when I’m 20.
Q. How much does it do for your confidence, beating a player that you regard so highly?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I’m feeling really confident now, especially I played a good clay-courter first round. I thought he played really well. Obviously physically backing up after five sets as well, I can take massive confidence out of that. Ivo today, I thought he had the best year of his life last year. He got to top 20 at some stage. He’s 25 now. He’s playing some good tennis. With that serve, he can obviously beat a lot of players. I think he beat Djokovic a couple weeks ago. I knew he was going to be tough. That gives me massive confidence.
Q. How much attention do you pay to what’s going on in the media?
NICK KYRGIOS: A lot. It’s hard to not read that stuff. I mean, there should be a lot of expectation on Australians playing their home Grand Slam. We all know there’s a lot of expectation on us. It’s fair enough. We should be performing at Grand Slams. Yeah, I’m just happy I got through.
Q. You have doubles tomorrow with Thanasi. What can the fans look forward to with that one?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, we’ll see how he goes out there today. He might be struggling a little bit physically. I’m not too sure at the moment. A lot of fun. Last time we played doubles we played junior Wimbledon together and we won that. Just a bit of fun and a bit of excitement. It will be a lot of fun out there.
Q. Can you explain your feelings going into the third round. Are you nervous?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah. I mean, I’m going to feel nervous when I walk out on the court. I know it’s a good opportunity at a Grand Slam to play someone unseeded. I know there’s a lot of expectation. I’m going to go out there — do everything I can the next couple days to recover and go out there and give it my best.
Q. What is your relationship like with Pat Rafter?
NICK KYRGIOS: It’s pretty good, as far as I know. We got pretty close in Perth, as you guys know as well. I think it’s good. We’re learning each other. Especially over the IPTL. I got to know him a lot better off the court as well. He only wants to see the best out of us guys. So that’s good.
Q. He said you were perhaps a bit emotional. You were saying this is your last Grand Slam as a teenager. Do you see yourself lowering your bravado on court as you progress through?
NICK KYRGIOS: Say again.
Q. As you get older, do you think your bravado and showmanship on court…
NICK KYRGIOS: Are you asking me if I’m going to mature?
Q. Pat Rafter said you were still a bit too emotional on court.
NICK KYRGIOS: Uhm, geez, I don’t know. I don’t know what to say to that. He has his own opinion, I guess.