Search

show me:

Kyrgios primed for Wimbledon charge

3 minute read

He's making no big promises but mercurial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios enters Wimbledon believing he can beat any player in the draw.

NICK KYRGIOS.
NICK KYRGIOS. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Recharged and ready, Nick Kyrgios enters Wimbledon feeling as sharp as he has in years.

But he's making no promises, focusing only on negotiating the opening rounds with efficiency, rather than offering any bold predictions about winning the title.

There's no doubt, though, that Kyrgios once again looms as an unseeded danger to avoid at the All England Club after emerging from a mid-season hiatus to reach back-to-back semi-finals in Halle and Stuttgart.

"Obviously from a load standpoint, I played a lot of tennis," he said on tournament eve on Sunday.

"I don't think anyone kind of expected that. Probably the only player that's going to have a two-month break in the middle of the year, then come back for the grass.

"I've played a lot of matches, had some great results, beaten some really good players. I'm just happy where my level's at.

"I've had probably some of the best preparation I've had for a while on the grass."

The one-time world No.13, now ranked 45th, Kyrgios makes no apologies for no longer playing a full schedule and skipping the French Open in favour of precious home time in Canberra.

"That's who I am. I don't want to be the type of player that's going to play all year long," he said.

"Living in Australia - I've said it so many times - it's so hard to find the balance between spending time with your family, friends, having that kind of normal lifestyle.

"I don't want to be spending seven, eight months on the road anymore. I just don't want to be doing that. It's not something I really care about - rankings and all that.

"It's not something I chase. I've played top-10 players in the world this year and made them look pretty ordinary.

"Look, I know where my game's at. I know if I'm feeling confident, I'm playing well, I'm able to just light it up kind of whenever I want."

Kyrgios's only two grass-court defeats this campaign came against two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and 2021 semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz, both tight encounters, before the 27-year-old withdrew after one match in Mallorca to rest a sore abdominal muscle.

"Obviously Mallorca, had to pull out because the body. I could feel it getting a bit tired," he said.

"There's no ranking points this week, but it's still a week I wanted to have highlighted, put all my focus into."

The 2014 quarter-finalist opens his tournament against British wildcard Paul Jubb on Tuesday and could play countryman Jordan Thompson in round two and fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in round three.

"I need to focus on the earlier rounds, make sure I get it done as quick as possible," Kyrgios said.

"I'm not even thinking about winning it or anything at the moment.

"I've got another couple days to just practice and feel good. Then we'll see what happens."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au