Nick Kyrgios believes Jenson Brooksby is his ‘polar opposite’ on the court but he is also one of the most promising young players on the men’s Tour.
The Australian said his peer is ‘incredibly talented’ due to his unorthodox style of play. 21-year-old Brooksby is currently the third youngest player in the top 40 after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. He was named ATP newcomer of the Year in 2021 and has reached the final of two ATP 250 events so far in his career. Last year at the US Open he became the youngest American man to reach the fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002.
At this week’s the Miami Open Brooksby has been in the limelight but for for the wrong reasons. A burst of frustration during his first round match against Frederico Coria saw the 21-year-old throw his racket which bounced and narrowly missed hitting a balls person. He subsequently received a code violation but some within the tennis community argued that he should have been defaulted. Brooksby later apologized to the individual and for his behaviour.
“He knows it’s not the right thing to do. I can’t see him being a personality where he’s going to kind of say, F-you, like it’s not-okay-type thing,” Kyrgios said of Brooksby.
“I don’t think that’s the right way to go about it, as well. Obviously it’s not right, but he didn’t mean it. I don’t think he meant any harm.’
“So he’s going to be someone we’re going to have to nurture and actually care for in our sport. He’s incredibly talented. He’s unorthodox. I think he’s my polar opposite on the court, he’s very strange to watch but he’s awesome.”
Kyrgios himself is no stranger to controversy. The latest incident he was involved in occurred at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells during his 7-6(0), 5-7, 7-4, loss to Rafael Nadal. Seconds after the match finished, Kyrgios smashed his racket into the ground which bounced and nearly hit a ball kid. He was later fined $20,000 by the ATP, as well as an additional $5000 for an audible obscenity.
“I have done plenty of things in my tennis career and in my life – I think everyone has – where they have made a questionable decision, whether it’s tennis, whether it’s your job, whether it’s life, whether it’s a relationship, we have all made questionable decisions. No one is perfect,” he said.
“I’m not one to judge anyone’s behaviour. But at the same time he’s (Brooksby) a young kid, he’s coming up, and I think he’s going to have a lot of eyes on him.’
“I wasn’t the best role model growing up on tour, and I don’t think at times I am. At times I think I’m a great role model.”
Brooksby will play Georgian 18th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in his second round match on Saturday. Meanwhile, Kyrgios is already through to the last 32 after producing a hugely impressive 6-3, 6-0, win over Andrey Rublev in under an hour.
