Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has come out against the idea of hiring a coach after saying doing so would be a waste of time for him because ‘he is too set in his ways.’
The former top 20 player has attracted offers from numerous figures wanting to work alongside him on the Tour, including John McEnroe and Boris Becker, but has repeatedly played down those prospects. Kyrgios has won six ATP titles so far in his career and reached the quarter-finals of two grand slam tournaments. He has also recorded wins over every member of the Big Three, including multiple victories over both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Despite his talent and potential, the 25-year-old believes adding a coach to his team would not work well for him. Saying they get paid too much before revealing that he hasn’t got a goal of winning a grand slam title. The holy grail in the world of tennis.
“Personally, I think (hiring a coach) is a little bit of a waste of money ‘cause I think they get paid way too much,” Kyrgios said during a podcast with Elliot Loney.
“And, for me, I don’t have a goal of winning grand slams. I just want to do it my way, have fun with it and just play.
“So to get a coach for me is pointless because I don’t want to waste their time almost.”
Pinpointing the reason why he is against the idea, Kyrgios candidly said that he is too set in his ways to listen to advice from others. Although with most players not playing into their mid 30s, it is possible he could continue playing on the Tour for another decade if he chose to.
“I just don’t think a coach is ready – and I’m not going to put them through it too ‘cause it would just be a nightmare,” he explained.
“Where I’m at my career now, it’s just too far gone, I think for a coach, ‘cause I’m too set in my ways and I just don’t like to listen to advice, to be honest.”
Kyrgios‘ admission that he is not chasing after a grand slam title is down to his belief that his body would not be able to cope with the prospect of playing seven best-of-five matches in a row. According to the ATP, he has withdrawn from 20 tournaments since 2018 (11 in 2018, seven in 2019 and two in 2020). The problems he has experienced concerns his right elbow, left wrist, hip, knee, shoulder and collarbone. Amid the physical problems, Kyrgios says the most important thing for him is having fun on the Tour.
“I don’t believe my body will hold up for seven matches at a grand slam, potentially playing three to four hours (each match),” he said.
“If I could, I’d just be on the beers every time I play – afterwards. I just want to chill out. I just think the sport’s taken a bit too seriously.”
Despite his low expectations, it hasn’t stopped the pressure being placed upon him. In a recent interview with Australia’s Sports Sunday, McEnroe said Kyrgios was the most talented active player on the men’s Tour outside of the Big Four (including Andy Murray). The former world No.1 said he is ‘hopeful’ that the controversy-stricken player will be able to capitalize on his talent before retiring.
Kyrgios is currently ranked 40th in the world.
