Nick Kyrgios has always appeared to have a ‘chip on his shoulder’ – but the Aussie tennis star says it is the reason he is in career-best Grand Slam form ahead of a blockbuster fourth round US Open clash with world number one Daniil Medvedev.
Dropping just one set, Kyrgios has cruised through to the fourth round with dominant wins – albeit against unseeded opponents – but he’ll need to be at his best to advance over Medvedev, who won the tournament last year.
Kyrgios has already exceeded his best run at the US Open after beating US wildcard JJ Wolf in the third round; proving his improbable run to the Wimbledon final in July was no fluke.
Possibly the most polarising figure in tennis, Kyrgios has already been whacked with an $11,000 fine this tournament for abusing his own supporters box in his second round clash.
Nick Kyrgios was at his animated best in his third round victory over JJ Wolf at the US Open
But tennis’ bad boy doesn’t care how much hatred he sees, hears and reads; he says it is inspiring him towards a Grand Slam title tilt.
‘As a tennis player, as an athlete, with any profession, you kind of want to be in those moments. Like, I don’t want to be playing futures or challengers on back courts with no crowd,’ Kyrgios said.
‘That’s not why I play this sport. That’s not why I pick up a racquet. I want to be playing on the biggest stadiums in the world in front of millions of people, broadcasted globally.
‘That’s where I want to be. That is why I work hard. It makes it even sweeter.
‘I know a lot of people don’t want me to succeed. I know a lot of people hate my game, the way I do things, they way I go about it,’ said Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios and girlfriend Costeen attend a tennis social event in New York prior to the beginning of the US Open
The 27-year-old has taken far longer than most to mature, and some would say he still has a way to go, but he is intent on maintaining his fiery edge and flying the flag, so to speak, for the Aussie men.
‘(But) I’m the only Australian still left on the men’s side. It’s the same story every time, literally every time in a grand slam,’ said Kyrgios.
‘I always thrive on it. I never want to forget all the things people say. I always carry this chip on my shoulder. I have it all in the back of my head when I’m playing.’
His bad-boy image might have been ruined somewhat however, after women’s star Coco Gauff recently went into bat for the Aussie.
Coco Gauff has gone into bat for tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios – saying he is a ‘nice guy’
‘I know there’s things on the court that he does that people don’t agree with,’ Gauff said on Friday after her third round win over Madison Keys.
‘(But) Overall I think he’s a nice person. At least he’s always been to me.’
Gauff referenced occasions when the Aussie practiced with her after already training for hours on his own as to why he was not the ‘bad guy’ others painted him out to be.
Nick Kyrgios celebrates after beating JJ Wolf in their US Open third round clash
She was bullish on his chances at the Open, too.
‘If he keeps it up, I think he can go far. He can win the tournament. We all know he has the ability to. He was close at Wimbledon,’ said the 18-year-old Gauff.
‘I always, always root for him, no matter who he’s playing, to be honest.’
Medvedev himself is no stranger to courting controversy, either.
Russian Daniil Medvedev, the current World number one, will take on Kyrgios in the fourth round
The world number one, who won the US Open last year and has made the Australian Open final in 2021 and 2022, has been fined multiple times for viciously abusing umpires, and even ball boys.
But what is clear, is he can play tennis. Very well.
The counter-puncher has a very complete game, and this will be a fourth round match for tennis purists to savour – and likely one for the drama queens to enjoy to.
Kyrgios said he is pumped for every moment of it, with the match scheduled to begin at 9am Monday morning (AEST).
Nick Kyrgios does some sightseeing with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi prior to the US Open
‘I want to be there. I want to be on prime time. I want to be on that screen, the screen they’re all watching. I embrace it,’ he said.
‘Win or lose, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve worked hard to be in the fourth round at the US Open, against Medvedev. I want to be there.
‘I think that’s where every tennis player wants to be, playing the best players in the world in the best stadiums in the world, getting paid well. I’m looking forward to it,’ said Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios looks to return during his straight-sets win over JJ Wolf
He is in career-best Grand Slam form, but aside from this US Open campaign and Wimbledon, Alex de Minaur has in fact been Australia’s last man standing at many slams in recent seasons.
Still, whatever works for Kyrgios, who has the opportunity to usurp de Minaur as the highest-ranked Australian if he can defeat Medvedev.
Kyrgios can even bump the Russian off his world number one perch, with Rafael Nadal poised to return to the top of the rankings if Medvedev loses.
Daniil Medvedev (left) shakes hands with Nick Kyrgios after the latter won their last encounter: a second round match at the National Bank Open in Canada
The Canberran holds a 3-1 lead in the duo’s clashes against each other, with his only defeat a four-set loss at this year’s Australian Open.
His most recent win over Medvedev came just three weeks ago in Montreal – so Kyrgios will be confident that he can advance and continue to play in front of the huge crowds he craves.
The winner of the blockbuster clash will face either Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, or Russian Karen Khachanov, on Tuesday for a semi final berth.
Kyrgios also remains in the hunt for a second grand slam doubles crown for 2022 with best mate Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian Open champions advanced ominously to round three on Saturday.
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