Tennis news: Nick Kyrgios criticism unfair as Aussie firebrand turns his focus to Australian Open

Controversial Aussie Nick Kyrgios’s window of opportunity at winning a major is evaporating quickly, with the next wave of young guns already making moves, explains Julian Linden.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 21: Nick Kyrgios of Eagles reacts in their men's singles match against Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during day three of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena on December 21, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Damned when he does, damned when he doesn’t.

Nick Kyrgios just can’t win sometimes — even when he tries to do the right thing.

That’s partly his own fault because the problem child of Australian tennis has behaved like a complete brat for so long, helping to fuel all the haters with his foul mouth and boorish on court antics.

He really doesn’t make it easy for everyone to like him but there are also plenty of times when the criticism Kyrgios cops just goes beyond the pale.

The mud-slinging he’s received for pulling out of the United Cup is just the latest proof that his loudest detractors have become blinded by their own rage and self-righteousness.

Instead of being slammed for withdrawing from a fuzzy, new warm-up event that no-one will remember in a few weeks’ time, Kyrgios really should be applauded for focusing all his energy on trying to win the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios should be applauded for focusing all his energy on trying to win the Australian Open.

For years, Kyrgios has been heckled for supposedly wasting his incredible talents because he hasn’t won a grand slam singles title.

Forget the fact he’s been competing in the same era as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the only way Kyrgios will ever silence the naggers is by winning a major.

That’s easier said than done and at 27, his window of opportunity is closing fast with the next wave of young guns — led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — already making their moves.

In years gone by, Kyrgios might have taken the easy way out by throwing in the towel and dismissing the historical importance of the grand slams.

But that’s not what he’s doing — yet, he’s still being attacked for it.

There’s plenty of things that Kyrgios deserves to be criticised for but pulling out of a lead-up event and laying his cards on the table for everyone to see is not one of them.

Nick Kyrgios should not be criticised for pulling out of a lead-up event and laying his cards on the table.

Plenty of other big names are skipping the United Cup but none have faced the same scrutiny that Kyrgios has.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking because the pressure of trying to win a major on home soil is relentless. That’s why so few Aussies have done it.

Ash Barty managed it last year but it took such a toll on her she retired soon after.

Kyrgios has already hinted that he may well quit tennis if he ever wins a grand slam, and who could blame him.

The odds are stacked against him winning the Australian Open because the Melbourne hardcourts don’t reward his high-risk game.

It’s time the critics cut Nick Kyrgios slack as he gives himself the best chance to win the Australian Open.

Wimbledon remains his best shot at a major because Djokovic aside, no-one can cope with his brilliant serve and volley skills that are tailor made for grass.

But what the critics don’t see — or refuse to give him credit for — is that Kyrgios has also figured out how to play the long game.

Whether he wins the Australian Open or not, how he performs in Melbourne could hold the key to his chances of success at Wimbledon because a deep run in January will boost his ranking and help him gain a higher seed for the All-England club.

It’s time the critics cut him slack.