What Exactly Is Nick Kyrgios’ Crime? - UBITENNIS

What Exactly Is Nick Kyrgios’ Crime?

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read
Nick Kyrgios (image via zimbio.com)

Once again Nick Kyrgios has come into the firing line following his performance at this year’s US Open. His crime this time? Being honest about his passion for tennis.

During his lacklustre match against Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko in New York last week, where he was forced to retire due to injury, former world No.1 John McEnroe didn’t hold back in his opinion whilst commentating for ESPN.

“Nick Kyrgios, if you don’t want to be a professional tennis player, do something else,” McEnroe said. “He’s hurt because he’s not training enough.”

McEnroe’s comments are justifiable to an extent with the Australian previously admitting that he would like to retire from tennis in his 20s and he doesn’t love the sport. On the other hand, what makes Kyrgios so different to other athletes that have said the same about their sport? Andre Agassi won eight grand slam title throughout his glorious career, but it didn’t mean that he was in love with the sport.

“I play tennis for a living though I hate tennis, hate it with a dark and secret passion, always have.” Agassi wrote in his 2009 biography.

Similarities can be drawn between Kyrgios and Agassi. Both displayed promise in the sport at an early age and were pushed towards playing in the sport by influences around them. It wasn’t that they both hated the sport every time they stepped on the court. They just had concerns embarking on the hectic schedule that tennis demands. This doesn’t make them bad players or people, it is just how they feel. Why should they be criticised for that?

This area is one of the many complicated things surrounding the unpredictable 21-year-old. Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene is perhaps one of the best people to describe Kyrgios, calling him ‘his own worst enemy.’ It is an old saying, but one that is highly applicable to the Australian regarding his at times controversial behaviour on the court.

The thing is, Kyrgios is never going to change as a person. This doesn’t mean that he should be forgiven for when he conducts unacceptable behaviour on the court, but it just how he is – talented, erratic, controversial and not afraid to speak his mind. It is characteristics that some players love and others detest.

Nobody knows what the future holds for Kyrgios, not even himself. He certainly has the talent to be amongst the world’s best, but it is less certain about his motivation. Either way, he shouldn’t be faltered for being honest. The tennis world will always respect a player that is true to himself, but never one that lies.

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