Nick Kyrgios is Australia’s greatest showman, haters need to get over it

Perfection is boring. And that’s why Nick Kyrgios’ unpredictability makes him the most spectacular player to watch in tennis, writes Sam Groth.

Love him or loathe him. Or both at different times. Nick Kyrgios is indisputably the greatest showman in Australian sport.

And if you’re still unable to simply enjoy the drama and theatre he brings to the court and our TV screens because you’re hung up on his public image, I just don’t understand you.

I don’t know what more the guy can do to change people’s minds.

He’s not going to change and why should he? The man’s pure box office.

I’ve always spoken highly of Nick and I get a little bored of people always calling out his demeanour and behaviour.

We know he made some mistakes when he was young but come on, who didn’t?

He only has to speak to an umpire on court or make a gesture to the crowd and people are all over him.

We have all had blow-ups with the officials. I was no saint but it’s double standards when it comes to Nick.

Nick Kyrgios produced the match of the tournament on Wednesday

If the issues with the net technology on Wednesday night had been any other player it wouldn’t have made headlines – technology issues have been happening all week.

Nick is who he is and like him or not I bet you’re still going to watch him.

He is never going to be the poster child for good behavior.

If people want a clean-cut Aussie athlete that wins and does “all the right things that an athlete should do” then we have Ash Barty.

She does it all by the book. She’s unbelievably talented, she’s No 1 and she’s entertaining. She does it her way and we love it so why don’t people love Nick for doing it his way?

There is no blueprint for being a superstar.

Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic aren’t the same but we don’t talk about that do we?

Fans get hysterical for Kyrgios

People tend to only focus on the negative with Nick when actually he should be celebrated.

What he did on Wednesday night was phenomenal. It was box office tennis.

It was the match this tournament has been crying out for, the Australian Open finally came to life.

It was a COVID-safe packed house; no-one else has drawn a crowd like that this tournament. Doesn’t that say enough about Nick and what he does for the sport?

I’d go as far as saying tennis needs Nick far more than Nick needs tennis.

He packs every stadium he plays in, he has people on the edge of their seat, glued to their TVs. We are euphoric and furious when we watch him and the next day we want more.

Tell me another Australian sportsperson that has that effect.

He might not be our best athlete but he’s certainly our most entertaining.

The crowd atmosphere at a Nick Kyrgios match is like nothing I’ve experienced with any other player.

Tennis crowds are often very polite, reserved, they clap both competitors and acknowledge great play irrespective of which side it comes from.

Nick brings hysteria. It’s another level of wild.

That’s why organisers and broadcasters want him in their event’s prime time slot, not just here but around the world. He is a global superstar.

Behind Federer, Nadal and Serena Williams he is the biggest draw card. He puts bums on seats.

What he lacks is the consistency of the big names. When you sign him up you don’t know which Nick is coming. Will he be there for one round or push deep?

It’s a calculated risk for them of course but you just wouldn’t dare leave him out.

It’s the unknown that makes Nick so exciting.

When you watch his matches you shouldn’t go into it with the expectation of perfection. It’s the imperfection that makes him so entertaining.

Austria's Dominic Thiem is next up for Kyrgios

HOW TO BEAT THIEM

RUSH HIM

Nick’s game matches up to Thiem’s well but he needs to be faced paced and control the speed of the match he needs to be able to load up and smash from the baseline to have a hold on his opponent. He’s coming off a five setter as well so Nick needs this over fast he’s been out the game for 12 months, Thiem’s had the best year of his career. Time is crucial

SERVE

Nick has the best serve in the world when it’s on form and this is his biggest weapon it’s more dangerous than anybody elses. Stating the obvious he has to hold serve. Then, if with his power he can push Thiem deep on court he will retain control.

LEARN FROM BOLT

Nick will do well to chat to his compatriot who took Thiem to five in Melbourne last year. If Nick can climb on Thiem’s serve that will do him well, it’s probably the weakest part of the US Open champion’s game.

AVOID LONG POINTS

If Nick finds himself going toe-to-toe from the baseline he will be in trouble. Thiem bludgeons the ball from the back of the court and wins a wealth of easy points with this approach. He has brute force in this department.

DON’T RETURN TO THE BACKHAND

Thiem has the best backhand in the game, his return down the line is world class and if Nick plays that direction he will regret it. Thiem has played a lot more big matches than Nick, experience is key.

CUT THE BULLSH*T

He needs the crowd on his side – but he needs to get it right. A lot of what happens on court when he’s kicking off a little, he needs to get a hold of in this match, this is a massive step up from round 2, and he will need to focus on his game plan more. On court issues are draining he can’t afford an emotional rollercoaster. If Thiem senses vulnerability he will pounce on it.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios is Australia’s greatest showman, haters need to get over it