During what has been a turbulent career Nick Kyrgios believes he is now ‘at peace’ and it is hard to dispute this claim considering the form he has illustrated at the Miami Open.
The Australian tennis star has for years been named as one of the most explosive and talented players in men’s tennis whose trajectory in the sport has been hindered by numerous issues. In recent years Kyrgios has had to contend with injuries with the most recent being a meniscus tear he sustained midway through 2021 in his left knee. Then there is also his at times controversial behavior on the court which has landed him thousands of dollars in fines and even at one stage a suspended ban back in 2019. Furthermore, he has also been criticized in the past for a perceived lack of commitment to the sport.
Away from the limelight, Kyrgios has also battled his own demons after speaking publicly about his battle with mental health in an Instagram post earlier this season. Perhaps an unsurprising revelation from a player who developed the tag of being a bad boy of the sport with many scrutinizing his behavior.
However, at the age of 26 there is hope that Kyrgios has finally found his equilibrium.
“I definitely feel like more often than not for most players if they are feeling at peace off the court, they are probably feeling more mentally clearer on the court and being able to process high-pressure situations better,” Kyrgios told reporters at the Miami Open on Sunday.
“I’d probably say that as of now when I’m in those high-pressure situations and the breakpoints are coming, I look at my team and I find motivation and peace in playing those big points. I definitely put more into those points effort-wise. I guess there is definitely a correlation.”
There is no doubt that Kyrgios can still challenge for Tour titles given some of the emphatic tennis he has produced at the Miami Masters so far. He kicked off his campaign with a straight sets win over France’s Adrian Mannarino. Then in the second round he thrashed world No.7 Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-0, by dominating the match with his powerful serve and speedy play. Kyrgios’ latest win was on Sunday against Fabio Fognini who he dismissed 6-2, 6-4, with the help of a 82% winning rate behind his serve.
It is clear that the Australian has once again got himself in a position where he is considered among one of the world’s top players, even if his ranking suggests otherwise. Kyrgios is currently ranked 102nd in the world. Although the journey to get where he is currently hasn’t been an easy one.
“I felt like I constantly played so much under that mental stress and negativity that I genuinely just couldn’t function anymore with the pressures. I couldn’t function with the negativity,” he explains.
“Every day was just constant negativity from you guys (the media), from eventually my family, eventually from my friends, from everyone. There was no positivity, and it was just eating me up and I just genuinely hated my life.’
“It’s taken a long time and obviously I’m just towards a point where I’m just happy now. I don’t take anything for granted. I’ve got a beautiful girlfriend. My best friend is here (in Miami). I’m playing some great tennis.’
“I just try and stay in the moment, stay on my feet or in the present. I think of all those mistakes that I have made prior. There is no time for regret for me, and I just get on with it now. I just try and be positive, try and help others, and try and uplift.”
Even though Kyrgios’ tennis is on the up, it is important to take note of his general approach to life on the Tour. Whilst his peers have goals of reaching world No.1 and winning Grand Slam titles, for him those benchmarks are ones ‘something he does not value.’
“I felt like when I was young I wanted — my sole purpose was to get on the tour and show people that someone like me could compete at the highest level and beat all the best players in the world doing it my way,” said Kyrgios.
“I think that athletes always think when they are young that there is always a certain way to do it, like you have to be so professional, you have to do this, you have to do that, but you really don’t.’
“I think I’ve paved the way. I think that’s why a lot of people relate to me on the court, because they’re saying, Well, if this kid can do it, then they start believing.”
Kyrgios himself admits he is a hot and cold player who can produce a world-class win in one round and then fall apart in the next. Only time will tell if he will be able to keep up his surge of form this year. Outside of Miami, he also won the Australian Open doubles title with Thanassi Kokkinakis and reached the quarter-finals in Indian Wells where he took Rafael Nadal to three sets.
Awaiting the 26-year-old next in Miami is Italy’s Jannik Sinner who he describes as a player who is ‘going to do special things in the sport.’ It will be the first meeting between the two.
Undoubtedly Kyrgios is back on the Tour playing at his best but how long will it last for?
