Jelena Dokic says it’s time to stop tearing Nick Kyrgios down and appreciate his honesty

JELENA Dokic knows better than most what it’s like to travel the tennis circuit without a supportive family network. In her exclusive column, she sheds light on the kindness of those in camp Kyrgios and calls for Australia to get behind their man.

Nick Kyrgios as a young boy. Nolaila (Nill) Kyrgios (0434658828) the mother of Nick Kyrgios who defeated the world number one Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. Nolaila at home in Canberra with her sons very first tennis racquet. Pic by Gary Ramage. 2 July 2014.

We should give Nick Kyrgios a chance.

I believe in him and if you don’t already, you should too.

He can win a grand slam and he could potentially win this Australia Open.

Over the past year Nick has matured. While his on court behaviour may have frustrated some fans of the game in the past I like the fact he is able to admit he has made mistakes. I like that he is aware of what those mistakes are.

ROGER FEDERER’S ADVICE FOR NICK KYRGIOS

He is aware he can struggle a little bit mentally and emotionally. He struggles having a full time coach and likes to go it alone at times which is fine. He’s aware that sometimes he struggles with motivation and being away from home for long periods of time.

We have to appreciate his honesty in opening up about his difficulties. We have to respect his honesty about mistakes he has made.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a shot during Tie Break Tens

The fact he knows and admits his flaws is a strength. We have to praise him for being vulnerable and not tear him down for it.

No-one is perfect. We all have our ups and downs. Our bad moments. Sometimes weeks and months where we can’t perform or give our best.

And it’s clear to me that Nick has been working hard in the last year to get stronger mentally — ensuring his family is around him as he travels the world trying to be his best.

He’s also working his heart out and it shows in his consistent top 20 ranking — that’s impressive because last year he was hardly injury free.

Nill Kyrgios, the mother of Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios after he won the Brisbane International

Off the court I love what he is doing with his charity the NK Foundation — it helps underprivileged children and he is planning to set up a facility for them in Melbourne.

I like that he says he’s found an extra purpose and reason to play because of his charity. I like that he’s giving back. With me starting my own foundation I hope we can work together one day for a good cause.

I am a big fan of his game. He has an incredible serve and a massive forehand.

It is a game that shows he definitely has the potential to be a grand slam winner and No. 1 in the world. That is for sure.

But there are threats all around him. You’ve got Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev here and all in the mix.

Novak Djokovic, even though he has been injured, is dangerous too. There’s some great players but I still think there is potential for Nick to win a grand slam soon.

A young Nick Kyrgios and his older brother Christos.

Sure there will be pressure on him going into this home grand slam but his win in Brisbane was so great for him on so many levels. He showed he can handle the hometown pressure.

I will say I am still not sure if he is up to winning seven best of five set matches in a row but all signs show he is getting there. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is in the Australian Open quarterfinals or semis. He has the game for it.

If it’s not the Australian Open where he wins his maiden grand slam title I think his next best shot is at Wimbledon.

The other strength Nick has going for him is his family. He has a great support system. His beautiful mum Nill is a generous and kind soul.

A few months ago she read in a newspaper that I was a big fan of Nick’s game and that I felt he had the potential to go far. She also saw I would be in Canberra giving a talk on my book ‘unbreakable’.

Nolaila with Nick’s very first tennis racquet.

So Nill came along. We met. We spoke. She showed genuine care for me and my story.

She is a big supporter of mine and I saw her this week. She is one of the best mothers I have met. Nick is really fortunate to have such an amazing mum.

I wish I had someone like Nill in my life when I was playing tennis.

I know what it is like not to have a really strong family support system. I only was subjected to destructive and abusive behaviour from my father.

I didn’t have any parent supporting me. I know how important that is. Nick has got that. That’s what is really helping Nick a lot. That he has them on tour with him.

With family love like that around him on tour that can only help his dream of becoming a grand slam champion come true.

Jelena Dokic will be News Corp’s columnist throughout the 2018 Australian Open.

Originally published as Jelena Dokic says it’s time to stop tearing Nick Kyrgios down and appreciate his honesty