‘I can’t really seem to get away from it’: Nick Kyrgios on making headlines on and off the court
For over a decade Nick Kyrgios has hit the headlines and served up controversy both on or off the court — but his love of “stirring the pot” has done wonders for the game.
Confidential
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Nick Kyrgios has noticed that he can’t seem to escape attention.
For more than a decade he’s hit the headlines and served up controversy — whether he’s on or off the court.
On the comeback trail from injury and preparing to play in his first grand slam since the 2022 US Open, Kyrgios has been the talk of the town.
An injury scare and a by-product of being the single most outspoken critic of Jannik Sinner and his failed doping test, Kyrgios keeps making news.
“I can’t really seem to get away from it,’’ Kyrgios, 29, told the Herald Sun.
“I don’t do it for the headlines or the media to be honest. There’s one part of me that really loves trolling people and one part of me that loves stirring the pot. I just think we live in a world where everyone takes things too seriously and it can be boring.
“I think the world has lost a bit of humour and I think we don’t see the light side of things.”
Kyrgios left some pointed comments on a picture 16 year-old Cruz Hewitt posted with Sinner. It was like a red rag to a bull for his critics, including former tennis champion Andy Roddick who labelled his behaviour as hypocrisy and claimed he “lives for likes”.
“Me and him (Cruz) are amazing friends, I have an amazing relationship with Lleyton (Hewitt) and him,’' Kyrgios explained.
“I’m literally friends with the guy and everyone is just too sensitive. I just love being real and having fun. It can all end in an instant, you don’t know what tomorrow brings. Having fun, being controversial, I don’t care. I’ve got to the point where I’ve stopped caring what anyone thinks. I’ve reached this amazing level of freedom. Someone shouldn’t have that level of power. I could go on Twitter (now X) right now and write five words and the whole country goes into a frenzy.”
Kyrgios has polarised the locker room with his antics which in the past have included tanking, blowing up at umpires, sledging opponents, smashing racquets and fights with people in the stands.
During his injury lay-off he became a must-listen to commentator. A Wimbledon finalist and Australian Open doubles champion with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis, there’s no doubt Kyrgios is box office.
US tennis star Frances Tiafoe is a friend and a fan.
“Me and Nick are great friends, we’ve had a lot of fun times together,’’ Tiafoe said.
“He’s great for the tour. I know the guy, he’s a solid dude. He gets a bad wrap, misunderstood. He puts arses on seats. He has an incredible game. He’s out there trying hard and he brings a different demographic to the game. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, it’s not the be all and end all.”
Kyrgios has been recalled to Australia’s Davis Cup team which teammate and no.1 Aussie Alex de Minaur is more than comfortable with.
“Nick’s been a Davis Cup partner of mine in the past and it’s great to see him back in the team and hopefully his body holds up for the Australian Open,’’ de Minaur said.
“Nick lives his own life and I often get asked about him.”
No one is safe from a Kyrgios conversation.
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