Inside Nick Kyrgios’ new approach to tennis and the moment he truly began to believe

After their Australian Open doubles triumph, Thanasi Kokkinakis hit the town. Nick Kyrgios had an electrolyte drink and went to sleep. Find out what changed in his attitude and mindset.

Tuna curry and Netflix.

The muted Wimbledon quarter-final celebration pointed to a new approach from Nick Kyrgios, who only truly began to believe in his title credentials after his doubles Australian Open glory.

Kyrgios had always doubted the ability of his body to carry him through two weeks of gruelling Grand Slam matches. And it’s understandable – he’d never done it.

Until he and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis lit up the Australian Open in January, turning Rod Laver Arena into a concert hall as they claimed the title.

Kokkinakis hit the town that night. Kyrgios returned to his hotel, had an electrolyte drink, and went to sleep.

There was a similar vibe when he won through the to semi-final of the game’s oldest tournament this week.

Amid the shock breaking news he had been charged with the assault of his former girlfriend Chiara Passari – he’s alleged to have grabbed her during an argument last December – Kyrgios produced a straight-sets victory over Chile’s Cristian Garin, and returned to the central London house he is sharing with his father, girlfriend and two mates.

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Nick Kyrgios has been right at home on the Wimbledon grass. Picture: Getty Images

The mates enjoyed barbecued steaks.

Kyrgios stopped eating meat a couple of years ago.

So he and new girlfriend Costeen Hatzipourganis ate the tuna curry, vegetables and rice prepared by his father.

He’d said in the press conference after the match he may enjoy a glass of red wine. He stuck to water.

Kyrgios has barely touched alcohol this year.

It’s not a booze ban. This is Kyrgios after all – at any moment he may cut loose – but it’s working for now and the temptation isn’t tugging.

Previously, the wine and the “up yours” rhetoric would have flowed freely after such a win under trying circumstances.

Instead, they turned on Netflix.

The movie was “Trainwreck”, a lighthearted comedy, with an appearance from LeBron James.

The basketball theme is strong in Kyrgios’ life, and tennis preparation.

When he moved to Sydney “for love” earlier this year, buying a $1.6 million Kensington penthouse with Hatzipourganis, he had no close friends in the city.

Looking for a game, he went to the King George V recreation centre and started playing with the talented rag-tag crew who gather there most afternoons in between their US College or NBL1 duties.

They didn’t care for Kyrgios multi-millionaire, global fame status. He was now on their court, and they let him know.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios during the Australian Open doubles. Picture: Getty Images

Kyrgios suddenly felt at home.

For years in Canberra, he’d been surrounded by hangers on who relished the nightclub VIP booths where their man would drop thousands each night.

Kyrgios played the part. The King of Canberra.

The smiling backslappers boosted his ego but there was an emptiness to it all.

He met Hatzipourganis and suddenly the party lifestyle wasn’t so appealing.

Then the move to Sydney coincided with the most important moment of his tennis career.

Friends say Kyrgios had always doubted his ability to get through the grind of a fortnight of Grand Slam matches.

He couldn’t do it individually, but his success with Kokkinakis in Melbourne seven months ago had a transformative impact on his mindset.

He could withstand the rigours to make a final. Doubles are best of three whereas singles are best of five, but no matter, the psychological breakthrough in winning through made Kyrgios a believer in himself.

Kyrgios, serially accused of wasting his significant talent with nonchalant performances and comments about wishing to be a professional basketballer instead, raised eyebrows when he declined to play several lead-up tournaments, sending his ranking spiralling.

The 27-year-old said he cared not for rankings, and preferred the work-life balance of not travelling eight months a year.

He now hopes to become the first unseeded male to win Wimbledon since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, and the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

Nick Kyrgios has been the centre of attention at the All England Club. Picture: Getty Images

When Rafael Nadal crawled through to the semi-final after suffering an abdominal injury, he told the press he couldn’t be sure he’d be able to face Kyrgios.

The Australian was convinced it was mind-games from the Spanish great.

He put out of his mind any notion of a walkover into the final.

When Nadal confirmed overnight he’d torn an abdominal muscle and couldn’t play, Kyrgios could only mutter, “Wow”.

The world No.40 will face either Novak Djokovic or British hometown hero Cameron Norrie in the decider on Sunday.

“Finals of Wimbledon,” Hatzipourganis wrote on Instagram. “This is insane. I love you & we all can’t wait to see you out there with all our support. When you have the right people around you anything is possible”.

Kyrgios replied: “My baby, what a ride it’s been, why not one more? I love you”.

But such is Kyrgios’ personality – equal parts infuriating and exciting – a large portion of Australia will be cheering his opponent.

Nobody else would have mounted this Grand Slam plot line; playing basketball to develop his fitness, entering unseeded, warring with rival players, fans and media, fined a total $20,400 by tournament officials, being charged by police, and still making the final.

Nick Kyrgios defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in a dramatic match. Picture: Getty Images

Kyrgios’ disgusting spit towards a mouthy spectator was the lowest of his on-court offences thus far.

In between the meltdowns and tantrums, he’s produced some of the most scintillating tennis of his career, underscored by his power game.

He slammed down 17 aces against Garin, having nailed 35 aces in the previous five-set match against Brandon Nakashima.

Most of his peers are in single digit territory during their victories.

Before he left for London, Kyrgios was asked by News Corp Australia what he’d like to have achieved when he walks away from tennis.

“I want to be remembered as someone who just did it their way, never conformed to these rules that society or the tennis world wants you to fit in,” Kyrgios said.

“I feel like people of colour, people that have loud personalities, can fit in on the tennis court and do it their way and can achieve some special things.”

He is on the cusp.

Originally published as Inside Nick Kyrgios’ new approach to tennis and the moment he truly began to believe