Inside Nick Kyrgios’ new ‘humble’ off-court life

Nick Kyrgios and Wimbledon: it is as much a soap opera as it is sport. But for Kyrgios it’s the quiet, small, off-court life that’s making the difference.

Nick Kyrgios has streamlined his life off the court, writes Jessica Halloran. Picture: Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios and Wimbledon: it is as much a soap opera as it is sport. Netflix thinks so, they are there following his every move at the All England club.

But for Kyrgios it’s the quiet, small, humble off court life that’s the big difference at the All England club.

Every night, during this grand slam, Nick Kyrgios’ dad Giorgos has cooked up a “Greek/Malaysian fusion” dinner for his son at the central London home they are renting. Fish is usually on the menu, there’s lots of vegetables, as Kyrgios has tended to be a bit more “vegan” these days.

And while the talented, entertaining, controversial, brawling, wild, captivating tennis player has courted immense attention (again) and is on the cusp of possibly winning Wimbledon, those close to Kyrgios say off the court he’s been “humble” which has been the secret to his success in London.

It is the secret to how he blocks out the noise around “being Nick Kyrgios” as he faces the biggest battle of his career so far; taking on either Novak Djokovic or Cam Norrie for Monday’s final at the All England club.

Those close to Kyrgios say he’s “more focused than ever” and, of course, he’s just taking it one game at a time. But they also point to the “emotional” Kyrgios press conference on Wednesday where he said very aware that this could be his best shot at grand slam glory. “Honestly, I didn’t go about things great earlier in my career and I thought I may have wasted that little window,” Kyrgios said after his quarter-final victory over Chilean Cristian Garin.

So, because of this awareness of this “little” window Kyrgios is living life small. During the tournament, Kyrgios’ daily schedule has panned out like this; he goes out for breakfast at a local cafe, then back to his house, trains, then has a “stack of treatment” on his shoulder and legs. He’ll hit for another hour and “then chill”.

Those in the know say the ‘old Nick’ would get restless. He would be on his phone too much. He’d be moving faster, more jumpy, edgy or nervous. This time? Several people around him say there’s definitely been a calmness to his preparation.

It’s the deepest Kyrgios has gone at a grand slam and all with an assault charge hanging over the 27-year-old’s head for an incident with his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari.

Nevertheless, he takes on Nadal in the semi-finals on Friday at 10.30pm (AEST) and if he is victorious against the injured great, he will be the first Australian man in a Wimbledon final since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

Nadal’s carrying an abdominal injury. An injury so severe it nearly made him quit his quarter-final. “For a lot of moments,” Nadal said. “I was thinking, ‘Maybe I will not be able to finish the match’.”

But, the Spaniard’s done the impossible before and this season for him has been nothing but exceptional.

First, he wrote himself into the record books with his epic Australian Open victory (a five-set come-from-behind victory over Daniil Medvedev in a final that lasted 5 hours, 24 minutes no less). As Nadal once observed of himself: “Maybe I like fighting more than winning.”

With a history-making 21st slam, the men’s record, he then went on to win his 22nd grand slam title at the French Open.

Some might argue that Kyrgios prefers “fighting more than winning” too with his verbal altercations with fans, officials, fellow players and really everyone, including himself, dominating his days of late.

Meanwhile, following his quarterfinal victory, Kyrgios didn’t answer any questions regarding the alleged assault on Passari, such as the timing of the summons, when he first became aware of it, nor did he answer a question about whether he would attend the court as ordered. “I understand you want me to give you the answers but I can’t speak any more on the issue,’’ Kyrgios, told the press pack.

The Kyrgios assault charge has brought to the fore again that the ATP – the governing body for men’s professional tennis – don’t have a policy when it comes to allegations of domestic abuse.

Other major sporting bodies like Australia’s National Rugby League have a stand down policy, which only applies for crimes that carry a minimum 11-year jail term but also includes a discretionary clause regarding crimes involving women which the CEO can enact if he deems the incident serious enough.

In August last year, the ATP announced that a review of its “safeguarding” policies is in progress, including “those pertaining to domestic violence”.

It has, notably, not acted on the serious allegations levelled at German tennis star Alexander Zverev, by his former partner Olga Sharypova.

She detailed horrendous abuse allegations in an online story for slate.com including being suffocated with a pillow. Despite Sharypova’s claims she has not been contacted by the ATP, for her claims to be investigated.

But for now, the ATP policy doesn’t budge, Kyrgios plays on with a wish to win Wimbledon.

In 2014, when the pair first met, ‘Rafa’ was the world No.1, Kyrgios, then 19, world No.144, and had a wildcard entry into the tournament. Shockingly, Kyrgios won.

Life has tipped upside down and sideways for both of them since.

Kyrgios plays without a coach and as a tennis live wire that can’t be tamed, but is hungry, for his first maiden grand slam title.

Meanwhile, Nadal hopes to again etch himself further into history and again find victory against the odds.