ATP Cup quarter-finals: Nick Kyrgios primed for Australian Open assault, says Lleyton Hewitt
A mentally rejuvenated Nick Kyrgios is arguably in his best ever position to capitalise on Australian Open glory: but he’s been warned that one slip up will take that all away.
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A mentally rejuvenated Nick Kyrgios is arguably in his best ever position to win the Australian Open, but Lleyton Hewitt has warned that the enigmatic star is only one slip-up away from losing his focus.
Kyrgios has excelled so far this summer as he looks to restore his reputation and record after being placed on a six-month probation by the ATP tour.
The temperamental yet talented 24-year-old was cited for a 12-month pattern last September of verbally abusing match officials under the tour’s code of conduct.
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He had a $25,000 fine and 16 week suspension deferred and potentially dropped if he adheres to strict terms during a six-month probation period.
These include:
*No further code violations for verbal or physical abuse, unsportsmanlike conduct or visible obscenity aimed at an official.
*Continued support from a mental coach while competing in ATP tournaments.
*Additional support in the off-season from a professional specialising in behavioural management.
Kyrgios has been on his best behaviour, on and off the court, as he aims to spearhead Australia’s ATP Cup quarter-final assault against Great Britain in Sydney this week.
He has also been at the forefront of Tennis Australia’s bid to raise funds for the bushfire victims while he recently posted an Instagram picture, saying: “The change I wanna see must first begin with me”.
Australian captain Hewitt has been impressed with Kyrgios, but he wants him to maintain his standards.
“For him, there is a line and sometimes he crosses it. He knows that,” Hewitt said.
“But he has been great since as soon as we got together in Brisbane and all the events started.
“He was in a positive frame of mind. I think he was still building up through the pre-season.
“He probably didn’t have the toughest pre-season after a collarbone injury in the Davis Cup, so he has been managing and that is why he didn’t play in the second ATP match (against Canada in Brisbane) after having a niggle.”
Hewitt believes Kyrgios has benefited from his six-month probation period, especially with his mental approach to matches.
“I don’t know if it is helping his tennis, but it could certainly help with the rollercoaster that he does sometimes have in a match,” he said.
“Certainly it will help him develop. Whether it happens straight away or six to 12 months, that is another thing.
“But so far he hasn’t put a foot wrong. He has been great behind me on the bench and firing the boys up – it has been a lot of fun.”
Australia surged past Greece in their round-robin tie despite resting rising right-hander Alex de Minaur, who excelled earlier in the tournament with victories over Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.
Hewitt, though, insists de Minaur will be fit and firing to take on Great Britain in the quarter-finals.
“Alex had a massive pre-season,” he said.
“He trained the house down and worked extremely hard.
“Those first two matches really showed it. I think for him it is precaution, especially coming into the Australian Open, but he will be ready to go.”
Australia will play Great Britain in the quarter-finals of the ATP Cup Thursday morning from 10am.