Nick Kyrgios reveals what it’s like being ‘one of the best players in the world’ at the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios has warned his Australian Open rivals to been on red alert because they have never seen this incarnation of the polarising star before.

Nick Kyrgios has called it, the showman is getting serious.

This new found attitude comes off the back of a stunning 2022 which confirmed to himself that he is “one of the best players in the world” and so that means he comes into the Australian Open expecting to win.

Previously he came to Melbourne Park looking to entertain, have fun with the crowd and see what happens with the results.

On Thursday Kyrgios was talking a different tune, referencing the long drought Australia’s men have had in the local slam and also how moved he was by Ash Barty’s triumph last year.

“It is a bit different this time around for me being one of the favourites, usually I am kind of like a dark horse type of thing, now obviously after the year I have had I am one of the favourites,” he said.

“It is kind of new to me as well, this is the first time I have genuinely gone into a slam feeling like I am one of the guys that can really take the trophy and knock on the door.

“So I don’t know what I am going to be feeling when I get out there, usually I have got this ‘nothing-to-lose’ type thing and putting on a show but I have to really try and find that balance.”

Nick Kyrgios is ready to deliver on his potential. Picture: Michael Klein

He admits that is going to be “very hard” given the pressure that comes with being Australia’s big white hope.

“Obviously the only person who has been able to do it in the last decade has been Ash Barty, to be able to ride the pressure of being at home and getting it done, she is the only person who has been able to do it,” Kyrgios said.

“Me and Thanasia (Kokkinakis) did it last year in the doubles but it doesn’t even equate to the singles court.

“We are still trying to find those answers. It is so much fun being out here embracing it and getting all the support but at the end of the day you have got to have a W and I’m going to figure that out.”

He will draw on Barty’s momentous victory last year which broke a 44-year drought for the locals in Melbourne. The No.19 seed is chasing an even longer hoodoo with Mark Edmondson the most recent Aussie male to lift the trophy back in 1976.

Nick Kyrgios has never been happier. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

Coming off last year’s run to the Wimbledon final and Flushing Meadows quarter-final, Kyrgios is confident he can shake off the left knee and ankle injuries that limited his build-up and challenge for his home title.

“I am one of the best players in the world so I’m definitely going into the Australian Open, into any tournament, with confidence,” Kyrgios said.

“I feel like I have proven that I can go deep in a grand slam and with the support of my team and everyone around, and hopefully Australia on my back, it’s going to be a good couple of weeks.”

Kyrgios, 27, recalls fondly seeing Barty carrying her trophy after the biggest win of her career.

“I saw it happen. I was waiting in the corridors and I was just watching her win the event, then she walked through the hallways and just soaked it up with her team,” Kyrgios said.

“I don’t wish it was me or take inspiration from it, I just was almost just watching the relief. I could feel the relief off her shoulders.

“And that’s special - I think someone that’s worked very hard and had so much expectation finally got over the line in Australia, I was just smiling and just happy for her.

“I’m not a jealous person saying ‘I wish that was me’ but it was just special to see how she embraced her family and everyone that’s just been on the journey with her.

“So hopefully one day, any Australian, any men’s (champion), I’d be happy for them.”

KYRGIOS’ OFFICIAL STAKE IN NBL SIDE

- Matt Logue

It’s official – Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios will join the South East Melbourne Phoenix’s ownership group in a major coup for the club and a booming NBL competition.

As revealed by News Corp last September, Kyrgios has been talks with the Phoenix about an ownership stake for months.

The tennis ace and Wimbledon finalist is close friends with South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari.

Kyrgios has long been impressed with Chaudhari’s plans for the Phoenix and also wanted to play a part in the club’s success.

DENIED: Nick Kyrgios blocks NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet during the Sydney Kings Starlight Celebrity Game at Qudos Bank Arena last April. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

It’s why he joined the club as an ambassador at the start of the NBL season, much to the surprise of the Sydney Kings.

Kyrgios was a courtside regular at Kings games, he played pick-up basketball with players like rising guard Biwali Bayles and was even the face of the franchise’s celebrity game last season.

Now he has jumped ship from Sydney to South East Melbourne in the biggest defection since the Kings swooped in to steal Andrew Bogut from United at the last minute in 2018.

Kyrgios will join a Phoenix ownership group managed by Chaudhari that includes current NBA star John Wall of the Los Angeles Clippers and former NBA players Al Harrington, Josh Childress, Dante Exum, and Zach Randolph.

“I am thrilled to be coming on board with the Phoenix and my mate, Romie,” said Kyrgios, who loves playing basketball and is a passionate Boston Celtics fan in the NBA.

“I love the vision he shared with me, and my team and I are really impressed with the organisation’s accomplishments in a short period of time.

“I know there is plenty that I can contribute towards the growth of the franchise and I’m especially looking forward to getting down to South East Melbourne and meeting the team and fans and working together with the youth in the city.”

Nick Kyrgios practising in a Boston Celtics singlet on day eleven of The Championships in Wimbledon last year. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.

Last year marked the best year of Kyrgios’ career, highlighted by his finals appearance at Wimbledon, a doubles title at the Australian Open, and the quarterfinals of the US Open.

As he prepares for a deep run in the upcoming Australian Open, where he will be one of the favourites, Kyrgios‘ investment in the Phoenix is his latest foray into sports team ownership.

Having forged a great friendship which has led to them partnering on various business ventures together, the tennis star and Chaudhari recently became part of the ownership group of the Miami- based franchise in the new Major-league Pickleball.

This partnership is managed by Kyrgios’ agent Stuart Duguid and financial adviser Alex Cohen.

“I’m really excited to welcome Nick and his team into our ownership group,” Chaudhari said.

“I consider him a good friend and I am proud of the wonderful year he has had despite all the criticism that has been thrown at him throughout his career. It has been a pleasure getting to know him off the court, he is a great person and has a great team around him too.

“His manager (Daniel Horsfall), brother (Christos Kyrgios), and advisers helped make this happen and they have done a wonderful job for Nick. We have already done a few deals together; and given his love for basketball, I wanted to make Nick part of this as well.

“The Phoenix look forward to undertaking many initiatives with him and his Foundation. Its mission meshes well with our organisation’s community-driven focus in the basketball heartland of South East Melbourne.”

Nick Kyrgios wants to help the South East Melbourne Phoenix become a consistent force in the NBL via his ownership stake. Photo: Emily Barker/Getty Images.

Phoenix CEO, Tommy Greer, is excited about Nick’s involvement and the franchise’s future.

“Adding one of the most talented and biggest names in a global sport such as tennis is exciting for the club, especially given the fact that he’s Australian, loves the game of basketball, and enjoyed undertaking this venture with Romie,” Greer said.

“Getting a person like Nick to join our ownership is a testament to the club’s vision and how much we have been able to achieve over our first few seasons, two of which were severely impacted by the Covid pandemic.”

The NBL, widely considered one of the best basketball leagues in the world outside of the NBA, has developed a strong presence among the international basketball community, and its fanbase continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Kyrgios’ investment in the Phoenix is yet another endorsement of the NBL’s success and the increased popularity of the league globally.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios reveals what it’s like being ‘one of the best players in the world’ at the Australian Open