LONDON: Marin Cilic is the latest player to endorse Nick Kyrgios as a future grand slam champion despite his occasional controversial behaviour in the sport.
The former US Open champion will take on the Australian in the Semi-finals of the Fever-Tree Championships on Saturday. Cilic secured his place with a straight sets win over Sam Querrey. Meanwhile, Kyrgios knocked out former champion Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 7-6(3). Coincidentally producing 32 aces, which was the same amount as to what he hit against Kyle Edmund in the second round.
“Nick has got a great serve and he (hit) spots unbelievably well. On the grass it helps out that the ball slides through a little bit more.” Cilic said ahead of their clash.
“I think that I have to do my own thing against him. Put pressure as much as I can from the returns. Put as many balls back and still continue to play my own game.”
Kyrgios’ tennis coincides with his somewhat animated personality. Yesterday he received criticism when the BBC had to issue an on-air apology concerning his swearing on the court. When questioned in his press conference about it, he bluntly replied “Fine. I don’t care.’ Once again reigniting his reputation as the bad boy of the sport.
“We are all individuals, we are all different. When you are frustrated sometimes it just comes out. It’s not like we are all there to do those sort of things.” Cilic commented about the incident.
“I think that it is obviously not good for somebody watching on TV.
“But you have a chair umpire there to do his own job as well.”
At his lowest point, the Australian was suspended from the tour at the end of 2016 for unsportsmanlike conduct. An investigation found him guilty of ”conduct contrary to the integrity of the game” during the second round of the Shanghai Masters that year.
With such a reputation on the court, it could be argued that Kyrgios is scrutinized more than other players on the tour. Something he has previously complained about. Citing the actions of Daria Gavrilova earlier this year. Gavrilova threw her racket after losing a point, which narrowly missed a ball kid.
I would be banned for 6 years and been on every paper and news channel for the next month https://t.co/zyQLl2i6eA
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 27, 2018
Cilic was reluctant to say if he did or didn’t agree with his rivals opinion. Instead focusing on the positives of Kyrgios’ career.
“It’s difficult to go into those details. He has done a couple of things that he probably regretted, but we are all human. We all make mistakes.” He said.
“I think he’s showing throughout the years that he’s an amazing player and that he can be extremely dangerous whoever he pays.”
Many people have tipped Kyrgios to rise to the top of the game in the future. The 23-year-old is currently ranked 21st in the world and is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals of a major. On the other hand, he has won four ATP titles and have scored multiple wins over Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.
“I think he’s got the game. He has a great serve, great athleticism, great shot-making. I think he’s got all different things to be able to win grand slams.” Said the 2014 US Open champion.
“Looking at his game, he’s definitely got that ability.”
Cilic is tied at 1-1 with Kyrgios in their head-to-head. Their semifinal clash at Queen’s will be the first time they have played each other on the grass.
