Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has opened up about his true feelings for the sport before losing the final of a tournament, saying it is ‘just a game’ and he doesn’t want to take it ‘so seriously’.
The controversial Australian star revealed his honest thoughts before losing the final of the Cincinnati Masters to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
Kyrgios showed strong form during the tournament – including an impressive quarter-final win over world number one Rafael Nadal – but he was unable to maintain it in the final.
Nick Kyrgios has opened up on how he views his tennis career, saying it is ‘just a game’
The world number 23 said he would rather be remembered as a ‘kind’ person
Before the match, the 22-year-old opened up about where tennis sat in his personal life.
‘There’s just other things that are more important to me than tennis,’ he said.
‘It’s just a game… there’s worse things happening in the world right now than me losing… so I guess that’s part of the reason why I can’t take it so seriously.’
The world number 23 said he regretted not spending enough time with family members who had died, because of his commitments to the sport.
‘I guess that could be a reason why I can’t really give myself fully to the game as well, but if I’m number one or number 500 I’m just a tennis player at the end of the day.
‘I don’t want really to be remembered as an unbelievable tennis player, I’d rather be remembered as someone who was kind to people and stuff like that.’
Kyrgios capitulated with three double faults in the final set, handing Dimitrov a decisive break, AAP reported.
The 22-year-old said he regretted not spending more time with family members who had died
Kyrgios lost the final of the final of the Cincinnati Masters despite showing strong form earlier
The Australian was visibly frustrated during the final, complaining to the chair umpire and expressing his anger at some decisions.
‘I know everyone makes mistakes, but come on, man,’ Kygrios said to the umpire.
After the loss, Kyrgios praised his opponent’s fitness.
‘You had me mentally today already. I was like ‘I know this guy’s fitter than me’.’
Kyrgios will now turn his attention to the US Open which starts on August 28 in New York.
The Australian star lost the final to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (left) in straight sets
Kyrgios was full of praise for his opponent after the match, saying he was much fitter