Fans and journalists who cover tennis have put a bad boy label on Nick Kyrgios in recent years. He gets angry when we talk to him about it.
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We had the opportunity to observe him at Wimbledon, but also since his arrival in Montreal. The question you have to ask yourself: who is the real Nick Kyrgios?
The Australian has often been talked about for the wrong reasons. His numerous outbursts and impulsive gestures on the court disturb many in the world of tennis. Not to mention that he constantly talks to his team between the two parties.
In a world where etiquette is very important, Kyrgios stands out. He is seen as a bad boy. A bad person. With journalists, he has a love-hate relationship.
Kyrgios does not hesitate to answer certain questions curtly. He likes to reframe certain journalists if necessary. After his victory against Alex de Minaur, he returned to people’s perception of him.
“I don’t really care if people don’t like me or my style of tennis,” Kyrgios said.
“I understand that there are certain personalities who disagree with certain things I do or the way I dress.
“At the start of my career, an image of me was painted that did not look like me at all. It was based on what I was doing on the pitch and not what I was doing in my real life.
“I am a normal human 95% of the time. You only see me on the court and that’s only 2% of my life.”
Two personalities?
Since the start of the season, Kyrgios has put his life in order at all levels. On the tennis level, he has decided to train seriously and he wants to prove that he is part of the elite of his sport.
He leads a tidier personal life. Of course, he was involved in an assault case with his former spouse, Chiara Passari. A case that shook him.
“I strongly believe in the fact that you have to be two completely different people to be successful as an athlete,” added Kyrgios. You can’t always be a super nice, generous guy on the pitch. If it was like that, I would be terrible at tennis.
“Tennis players have to be self-centered. You have to walk and feel like you’re the best player in the world. You have to have that mentality.”
We had the opportunity to briefly chat with his girlfriend Costen Hatzi in the hallway after a match. She mentioned that her lover is not the same person seen in the field. He is really caring with her.
“People around me and my friends know who I am,” Kyrgios said. That’s all that matters to me. When I leave the court, nothing matters to me anymore.
Intimidating in the right way
Due to his success since Wimbledon, other players fear Kyrgios. When he steps onto the pitch, the Australian is intimidating.
“The opponents of Serena (Williams) and Roger (Federer) must not have slept very well on the eve of their confrontation, said Kyrgios. It was more about aura or past results.
“For my part, they must tell themselves that I am on a big winning streak and that I am playing well. It can affect your ability to go out there and perform well.
“I think it’s happened to some of my opponents in the last few weeks. I was a good player for most of my career. I earned that respect in the locker room. They know what I’m capable of if I’m motivated.”