A newly-focused Nick Kyrgios says he is ‘happy’ with his 2018 Australian Open after a fighting four-set loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.
Kyrgios put up a spirited fightback against the world number three on Sunday night but it wasn’t enough, as he went down in four sets – 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-4).
The 22-year-old from Canberra was wildly applauded as he left Rod Laver Arena after the intense struggle, in stark contrast to last year’s exit when he was booed off court.
A seemingly more mature Kyrgios appeared to win back Australian hearts despite his defeat, graciously embracing Dimitrov post-match and telling the Bulgarian to ‘believe in himself’.
Nick Kyrgios (right) has seemingly won back Australian hearts with his mature performance during a fourth round loss to Grigor Dimitrov (left) at the Australian Open
The 22-year-old embraced his opponent at the net after the match, telling Dimitrov to: ‘Believe in yourself’
There were occasional signs of Kyrgios’ fiery temper, but the hard-fought loss was arguably the most mature display under pressure of his career.
‘I just feel like I’m trying to get better,’ Kyrgios said.
‘There were periods where I stepped on the court last year where I was just doing it for the sake of doing it.
‘I feel a lot better this time around. Last year I really didn’t know what I was going to do after the Australian Open.
‘I feel like I have more of a vision and goal for this year. I think I’m in a good head space.’
The incredibly tight tussle ended with Dimitrov winning a total of 157 points to Kyrgios’ 156.
The combatants embraced warmly at the net after Dimitrov clinched a quarterfinal berth against Briton Kyle Edmund.
‘I just told him to believe in himself,’ Kyrgios revealed.
Nick Kyrgios has blown up at the umpire after losing two crucial points at the Australian Open due to a bizarre technicality
‘Sometimes I think he lacks a bit of belief. But I think he’s got the game and he’s proved to everyone that he can win one of these slams.’
Kyrgios blew up at the umpire after losing two crucial points at the Australian Open due to a bizarre technicality – before going on to lose the match.
The tennis star was called for two foot faults in the crucial third set against Bulgarian Dimitrov, with officials claiming his back foot dragged across the centre marker of the base line.
Kyrgios, who was fighting back against the world number three, immediately questioned the call.
‘I haven’t been called for a foot fault in three years,’ Kyrgios told the umpire.
‘It’s not possible man, it’s not possible.’
In the commentary box, Lleyton Hewitt questioned whether linesmen and women were instructed to watch Kyrgios more closely.
‘I wonder whether the linesmen have been told to look out for that tonight,’ Hewitt said.
The foot fault was not the only anger inducing moment of the Sunday night game.
‘I haven’t been called for a foot fault in three years,’ Kyrgios told the umpire
Adding fuel to the fire, Lleyton Hewitt, in the commentary box, questioned whether linesmen and women were instructed to watch Kyrgios’ more closely
Kyrgios was ultimately defeated by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov three sets to one at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena
Kyrgios’ anger was later directed at his own team.
Sitting court-side preparing for the second set, Kyrgios yelled ‘it’s retarded, absolutely retarded’.
He blew up at his supporter’s box for not having a racquet with the right tension.
‘Which one’s a 54 and which one’s a 55?’ he said.
‘Well done. You had all day to figure it out.
‘One thing with the racquets, that’s it. That’s all you had to do.’
The outburst prompted his team to race out of the building and restring the racquet, only for him to leave it court-side for the remainder of the game.
Kyrgios also lost his temper with the umpire when a ball was called long.
‘Obviously I’m going to challenge, champ,’ he said.
Kyrgios was ultimately defeated by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, world No.3, who stepped up to claim three breakers at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena
‘I’ve lost one match this year, so I’m doing all right,’ Kyrgios said in the aftermath of his loss
Speaking post-match, Kyrgios said he believed Dimitrov could go on to win the men’s title if he had faith in himself.
‘Sometimes I think he lacks a bit of belief. But I think he’s got the game and he’s proved to everyone that he can win one of these slams,’ he told reporters.
The incredibly tight tussle on Sunday night ended with Dimitrov winning a total of 157 points to Kyrgios’ 156.
While Kyrgios’ Australian summer – that included a win in the Brisbane International final – has him bullish about the year head, it seems finding a coach isn’t on the agenda.
‘I’ve lost one match this year, so I’m doing all right,’ he said.
‘I like kind of doing things on my own terms. I just like the freedom.’
The 22-year-old will take a few days to relax and recover from the Open before heading into camp for Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Germany in Brisbane.
The 22-year-old will take a few days to relax and recover from the Open before heading into camp for Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Germany in Brisbane