Nick Kyrgios has returned back to the winner’s circle after edging his way past Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Citi Open on Sunday.
The 24-year-old battled with back spasms throughout the opening set before sealing the 7-6(6), 7-6(4), victory. Both players were in impressive form behind their serve with Kyrgios dropping just eight points and Medvedev 10. Yet it was the Australian who had the edge in both of the tiebreakers as he capitalised on some mistakes made by his opponent. Clinching his fifth win over a top 10 player this season.
“It’s amazing,” Kyrgios said. “Where I was six months ago, some of the things I was doing, to respond like this having incredible support, it’s amazing.
“I’ve proved to myself and a lot of people that have backed me that I still have it.
“It’s been one of the best weeks of my life from a tennis perspective.”
Midway through the match Kyrgios had to undergo a medical time out and took some pain killers to help combat the pain in his back. Another issue for the injury-hit player, who also had taping around his knee and arm. However, as the match progressed Kyrgios started to settle into the match more as he displayed a series of his signature shots. Including tweeners and the underarm serve.
“I started having some back spasms in the right part of my back, but the doctor came on, took some painkillers. The physio has been a great help all week managing some of the niggles I’ve had.” He said.
“Just something I had to deal with, one other thing I had to deal with this week. But I dug deep and it could have easily been Daniil in this position. The match was super close and obviously just happened to get through that first set was massive.”
Kyrgios is the first Australian to win in Washington since Lleyton Hewitt back in 2004. Overall, he is only the fourth player from his country to have ever won the title. Earlier in the week, he also knocked out 11th seed Gilles Simon in the second round and top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals. Earning him his sixth ATP title and second of the year after Acapulco.
Crediting his recent success to changing his ‘unhealthy habits,’ Kyrgios believes he is making strides in the game. Known as one of the most talented players on the tour, he has been criticised for his behaviour on the court at times. At the Italian Open he was defaulted after throwing a chair onto the court. Meanwhile, at the Fever-Tree championships he was fined $17,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“It started off the court, honestly. A lot of habits needed to change. I’m not going to go into it with a lot of detail, but I just had a lot of unhealthy habits, and it was starting to show on the tennis court. It was too up and down. It wasn’t healthy. So I just needed to change a lot of things.” The former top 20 player explained.
“This is only the beginning. I’m going to continue to go through with these habits. And at the same time, I’m trying not to change myself. I don’t want to lose sight of who I am. I want to continue to have fun on court and be the entertainer I am. But it’s a day-by-day process.”
There will be little time for celebration for Kyrgios, who will travel to Montreal to play in this week’s Canadian Masters. Questioned if he would contemplate pulling out of the event to help protect and heal his body, he dismissed such an idea. Should he win his opening match, he will play Medvedev for a second week in a row.
“I’m excited. Obviously playing Kyle (Edmund) in the first round, a guy that I played juniors with. Extremely tough first round, and then my seed is Medvedev.” Kyrgios previewed.
“So I’m not going to look ahead at all. My next task is just to enjoy tonight and get on a flight tomorrow (Monday), do everything right to the prepare for the match, and that’s it.”
Kyrgios has risen to 27th in the world rankings following his latest win. His highest position since October.
