Nick Kyrgios will cause a sensation on the ATP tour in 2022 – the bad boy of the tennis scene wants to know again

Nick Kyrgios could hardly believe it himself.

With his mouth open and his eyes wide open, he looked around the Hard Rock Stadium in disbelief.

A few moments earlier, the Australian had not only amazed the audience at the ATP Masters in Miami against Adrian Mannarino with a cracking return winner, but also obviously surprised himself.

ATP Miami

Crashing return: Kyrgios is amazed at his own winner in the opening win

12 HOURS AGO

However, it was far from the only time the 26-year-old caused excitement in his opening game. Ultimately, Kyrgios celebrated a hard-fought 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 3 win against the French – and, as so often, walked a fine line between genius and madness.

Kyrgios wins doubles title at the Australian Open

“The key today was the good rate on the first serve,” said Kyrgios after the match and emphasized:

“If I don’t field the first serve, he can come up right on the return and I couldn’t afford that tonight against such a tricky opponent. I grew up with him, I’ve seen him play. He’s a damn good player ‘ he then paid tribute to his opponent.

This has certainly not always been the case in the recent past. Earlier in the year, Kyrgios kept coming up against doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open verbally with their opponents.

Most sensational Double victory for the Australian duo in Melbourne and at the same time the greatest success in Kyrgios’ career to date, this did not change anything.

Craziness! Kokkinakis/Kyrgios win doubles title with wildcard

Kyrgios on the up

With the first-round success in Miami, he now confirmed his recent improving form, which had recently taken him to the quarter-finals in the individual competition at the Masters in Indian Wells. Only against the Grand Slam record champion and later finalist Rafael Nadal, whom he even had on the verge of defeat in the meantime, was the last stop for the bird of paradise.

“He’s difficult to play against because he changes the momentum of the point very quickly and his serve is huge, especially the first serve,” Nadal praised his opponent.

There is no denying that Kyrgios is one of the most talented players on the tour with the outstanding skills he undoubtedly possesses. However, the former number 13 in the world has not been able to prove this for a long time.

Also due to the current corona pandemic, Kyrgios only played 15 games in the past calendar year, of which he only won seven. In 2020 before that there were only nine (six wins, three losses). The result was the fall to 137th place in the ATP ranking at the beginning of 2022 – it was last placed more than seven years ago.

It wasn’t long before the first rumors about a possible early career end related to Kyrgios, who according to his own statements suffered from depression in the pastthat made the rounds. Those times now seem to be over for the time being.

Evert praises Kyrgios’ development

“He played very well at Indian Wells. I think he was in better shape physically and in better condition than before. I didn’t feel like he was out of breath in his matches. It looked like he had he worked on his fitness”, tennis icon Chris Evert explained exclusively to Eurosport adding, “I think he held back his emotions for the most part in Indian Wells. Still, I found him a bit snappy.”

The 67-year-old alluded to his behavior in the quarter-finals against Nadal when he not only messed with the audiencebut by a hair hit a ball boy with a racquet throw. In that same game, the 26-year-old temperament, as so often, went through, which is also the reason why Kyrgios is considered the bad boy of the scene.

However, Evert did not want to hang that freak out too high. “All in all, it’s a journey for him. He plays brilliant tennis and has progressed in his game as well as in his fitness and emotions,” she enthused.

Kyrgios shoots at viewers – and pulls in Hollywood stars

Kyrgios on the rise in the ATP ranking

The next step for Kyrgios now is to dig deep into non-Grand Slam tournaments to climb up the ATP ranking and avoid the top seeded players in the early rounds. He started this in Indian Wells.

The reward for reaching the last eight was jumping 30 positions in the world rankings to number 102. In Miami and Halle, where he was like Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev recently reportedthe next step should follow.

“He’s so important to the game, he delivers like an entertainer,” emphasized Eurosport expert Mats Wilander during the Australian Open. Not without reason: Kyrgios is a showmaster before the Lord – one who attracts viewers to stadiums worldwide.

McEnroe on doubles hero Kyrgios: “Would like to see this action in singles”

Kyrgios with impressive record against top ten players

With all the antics on the pitch, however, he seems to be focusing more on his sporting achievements again.

Especially against the big players in the industry, this doesn’t seem to be a problem for Kyrgios anyway. According to “MyTennis”, the man from Canberra is the player with the most successes against top ten players (22), without ever having been among the top ten in the world rankings.

His next opponent in Miami, Andrey Rublev, number seven in the world, should therefore be warned.

Kyrgios may then be able to surprise the audience and himself again.

You might also be interested in: End of career at 25: That’s why there is no alternative to Ashleigh Barty’s resignation

Tweener, excitement, mega stops: Kyrgios and Nadal put on a great show

ATP Halle

After Zverev and Medvedev: Kyrgios announces Halle commitment

22/03/2022 AM 16:09

ATP Indian Wells

Kyrgios keeps promises: “He was so nervous!”

19/03/2022 AM 15:39