Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios makes popularity strides but will always be dogged by perception problems

THE tide of public opinion might be turning in favour of Nick Kyrgios after a brilliant run at the Australian Open but his non-stop yelling at his support crew is doing little to convince the diehards, writes Leo Schlink.

Nick Kyrgios is what he is and fans just have to get use to it.

NICK Kyrgios in grand slam battle mode is no shrinking violet.

Muttering and glaring, Kyrgios makes no attempt to hide thought or emotion once the competitive juices kick in.

That’s unlikely ever to change.

Kyrgios and silence are seldom found on the same court.

Nick Kyrgios is what he is and fans just have to get use to it.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride with Nick Kyrgios.

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The combustible Aussie will always wear emotions — writ loud, sometimes profane — on his sleeve.

The sport’s romantics have a strangely rubbery view on the subject.

John McEnroe and others from the sport’s rugged wild, west era are celebrated — still — for churlishly bollocking authority and fellow players.

Not Kyrgios. He is “polarising.” McEnroe was “rebellious.”

Like McEnroe, Kyrgios doesn’t give a fig about perception.

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He cares even less — at least publicly — at the tide of public opinion which apparently is slowly starting to run his way.

Some of the increased support stems from his work to improve the welfare of underprivileged youth.

Not even that will cut the mustard with those obsessed with his hair, tattoos and complexion.

Kyrgios’ fighting performance against accomplished Grigor Dimitrov appeared to secure grudging approval among some of those who previously despised him.

Others will forever be in his opponent’s corner.

His incessantly barraging his support crew is habitual and unnecessary. And reason for the haters to hate.

Those closest to him argue it is a “release valve” and that he is hardly Robin Crusoe.

It is still unedifying.

Again, it is likely another example of how critically he is judged. And always will be.

Unlike McEnroe, Kyrgios is yet to win a major or to reach world No 1.

Should he do so — McEnroe and Pat Cash say it’s a matter of when, not if — things might change.

But nobody, and especially Kyrgios, is holding their breath.