Australian Open great Jim Courier on Serena and why Nick Kyrgios is the thrilling future of tennis

HE might not like him all the time, but Australian Open stalwart Jim Courier thinks that Aussie Nick Kyrgios can open tennis up to a whole new generation of fans.

Jim Courier is looking forward to getting back into the Australian Open commentary box with Lleyton Hewitt. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE Australian Open is a family affair for Jim Courier. Every January the tennis great travels from Florida with wife Susanna and young son Kellan, and this year mum Linda is making the trip as well.

Courier will be behind the microphone for Channel 7 but everyone else will be lapping up the best Melbourne has to offer.

“I will have my full family with me this year,” Courier, 47, says. “My mum has never been to Australia so she is going to be making her first trip. She is very excited about it.

“When I was playing (tennis professionally) she was raising my brother (Kris) who is 11 years younger than me so she was never able to make it.

“We love coming down here. My wife and kid will definitely get out and see the zoo and get to the beach and the parks.

“They’ll come over to the tennis from time to time to visit me at work but my mum’s going all-round the country and see as much as she can while she’s here.

“Linda is where I get my intensity from. If you see someone very purposefully (walking) the street (during the Australian Open) that will be my mum.”

Jim Courier is disappointed that Serena Williams won’t be defending her Australian Open crown this year — but says she is not far from her best. Picture: Aaron Favila/AP

Courier knows that it will be hard to beat last year’s Australian Open for fairy tale finishes.

Serena Williams beat sister Venus to win the women’s crown — her 23rd Grand Slam title. The men’s final, between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, was one of the year’s highest rating TV events with 3.6 million viewers nationally. This year sees a lot of big names under a cloud. Williams is already a non-starter after giving birth to daughter Alexis and marrying Reddit co-founder Alexis O’Hanian. Victoria Azarenka is also out.

Andy Murray has been plagued by hip problems and has also pulled out, as has Kei Nishikori with a wrist injury. Nadal (knee), Novak Djokovic (elbow), Stan Wawrinka (knee) and Milos Raonic (calf) have also had injury woes. “If Serena had returned it would have been an incredible story,” Courier says.

Jim Courier says Swiss great Roger Federer will be in the mix again this year. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

“I played in a charity pro-am event at (golf legend) Jack Nicklaus’s house with Serena a few weeks ago and had a chance to be on the other side of the net playing doubles against her.

“I have to tell you — she has lost nothing on her serve. It is a still a terrific shot. She is on her way back to full fitness.

“Rafa and Roger really split up all the important titles last year and showed no signs of slowing down which is pretty special considering Rafa is now 31 and Roger is 36.”

Aussie Ash Barty’s Open preparation took a blow when she was bundled out in the first round of the Brisbane International by Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko.

Aussie Nick Kyrgios will lead the local men’s charge, in red-hot form after winning the Brisbane International.

“Nick is a thrill,” Courier says. “The sport needs him to grab hold of his talent and become a superstar performance-wise.

“Pure box office”: Jim Courier chats to Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Mark Calleja

“He is a ticket seller. He is pure box office. He can really open our sport up to a whole new generation. The people who go to a Kyrgios match are about 20 years younger (than those that watch) some of the more established stars.

“The kids gravitate towards him. They connect with him because he shares his emotions. It doesn’t always please older people the way he behaves. I get that. It doesn’t always please me. I’m sure it doesn’t always please him.

“The area where it can be challenging for some young players — and I wasn’t exempt from this in my day either — is dealing with the day to day criticism and microscope on your performance.

“In tennis you either win or lose, there is no grey area. You’re not in a team so it is all on you.”

Jim Courier in the commentary booth with Aussie Lleyton Hewitt..

Seven’s commentary team is almost as big as the Australian Open’s seeded players. Courier will be working alongside 23 other specialists including Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge, John Newcombe, Roger Rasheed, Rennae Stubbs and John Fitzgerald.

“It has been wonderful working with Lleyton,” Courier says. “He and I crossed over a little bit on tour — I was leaving when he was joining it — but we never competed against each other.

“Getting the chance to sit in the booth and listen to how he sees the game — as well as Todd who is fantastic — I learn a lot whenever I put the headphones on.”

WATCH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Channel 7, 7mate, 7TWO and 7 Tennis app, from 11am, Monday