Nick Kyrgios should look to the most telling trend linking successful athletes in recent times

If Nick Kyrgios wants to overcome his mental demons and unlock the secret to success he should follow the lead of Dustin Martin.

Nick Kyrgios lost his quarter-final match. Picture: Getty

This year’s US Open is the first grand slam to allow coaches to give advice to players during matches. Reminded of the rule change before his first match at Flushing Meadows, Nick Kyrgios quipped: “Don’t worry, I don’t need a coach.”

It’s been years since he had a formal mentor on the sidelines, but that hasn’t stopped him winning more matches than any man on tour since this year’s French Open, including a tournament victory in Washington and making his first grand slam final at Wimbledon.

During that run, punctuated by two victories against world number one Daniil Medvedev, the Australian demonstrated a tactical acumen that belied his volatile on-court persona.

Kyrgios hasn’t had a formal mentor on the sidelines. Picture: Getty

While his press conferences are also known for occasional outbursts, Kyrgios impressed tennis experts in New York by breaking down the improvements he had made in his game: a stronger forehand return, a more unpredictable second serve, and a better fitness base.

Turning those weaknesses into strengths and matching them with his rare combination of power and touch has made Kyrgios all but unplayable at his peak, as Medvedev found out.

So yes, the Australian is doing just fine without a coach telling him how to play. But that is only true below the shoulders. What’s going on above them is a different story.

Perhaps the most telling trend linking successful athletes in recent times – Ash Barty, Dustin Martin, Dylan Alcott – has been their training in the art of mindfulness, unlocking their abilities while also keeping their on-field accomplishments in perspective.

Kyrgios could learn from Dustin Martin, one of the most successful athletes in recent times. Picture: Supplied

It may be ironic, but it is no coincidence Richmond only started winning premierships after its captain Trent Cotchin was able to embrace the idea that winning really isn’t everything.

Kyrgios has had a complicated relationship with winning. In the course of a tournament, even in the course of a match, he has been known to fight valiantly and to give up completely. He revels in his skills and he shrinks from what he might be able to achieve.

Undoubtedly, Kyrgios has matured this year. Instead of going out after playing, he has prioritised his physical recovery and put time into his tactical preparation. He still plays fast and loose, but he is able to slow himself down when required and think his way through challenges.

“I don’t know where it’s come from,” he told reporters after beating Medvedev this week.

“I just mentally struggled so hard for like the first six, seven years of my career. I had great results, shocking results, try really hard, then tanking. I just didn’t know how to deal with it … I beat myself up way too hard.”

Dylan Alcott has trained in the art of mindfulness.

Ash Barty is another athlete who has used mindfulness.

“It was just all a learning process to now because I’ve matured so much. I feel like I kind of embrace it all. When I’m playing bad I embrace it; when I’m playing good I embrace it. But I stay the same, where before I used to just ride the highs and lows way too much.”

Those words echoed when Kyrgios returned to the same media room two nights later, having lost the quarter-final to Karen Khachanov. While he had not performed at his best, he battled through a knee injury and fought it out to five sets – and then destroyed two racquets in a post-match meltdown.

Kyrgios could barely raise his head above the microphone by the time the questions came.

“I honestly feel like s--t, I feel like I’ve let so many people down,” he said quietly.

“It’s just devastating. Like, it’s heartbreaking. Not just for me, but for everyone that I know that wants me to win.”

In that moment, no one would expect an athlete to be happy, or even content. But Kyrgios was entitled to feel some pride in himself. Earlier this year, he was ranked outside the top 100 and had to rely on wildcards to enter some tournaments. No one would have guessed Kyrgios would go on to make career-best runs in two grand slams.

Kyrgios fought it out to five sets and then destroyed two racquets in a post-match meltdown. Picture: Getty

His anger and then sadness as his US Open ended were the signs of someone who, perhaps for the first time, understood what it was like to truly care about his performance.

If that is now who Nick Kyrgios is, then he owes it to himself to hire a coach for his mind. He may have improved his forehand return and his second serve, but mentally, he remains his own worst enemy.

Kyrgios’s newfound determination to succeed is not matched by the capacity to manage the pressure that brings, which mounts as he worries winning is the only way to justify being away from home, where his parents have been ill and his brother has a new baby.

His only apparent outlet is abusing those supporting him in his box – an outrage even his fans struggle to defend.

Between the tweeners and the tantrums, Kyrgios is the best show in tennis. But at 27, that does not seem to be making him happy. Perhaps finding that feeling is the secret to success, not the other way around.

Tom Minear is News Corp’s New York correspondent

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios should look to the most telling trend linking successful athletes in recent times