You know what’s more daunting than facing Nick Kyrgios in the first round at Wimbledon? Facing a “free” and “unfazed” Nick Kyrgios in the first round at Wimbledon.
The former quarter-finalist is making his first trip outside Australia since the pandemic halted the Tour last year in March, and will be contesting just his third tournament of the season at the Championships this fortnight.
Kyrgios has a game that can be devastating on grass, which was evident ever since he shocked a top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the fourth round on his Wimbledon debut back in 2014.
The 26-year-old Australian, a former world No.13, has slipped in the rankings and is unseeded at these Championships due to inactivity.
Kyrgios spent most of the past 15 months at home in Canberra, where he enjoyed some quality time with his family and friends, helped out his community when the pandemic was at its peak, and played just two events in Melbourne in February.
Back on the road after nearly a year and a half in Australia, Kyrgios says he feels like he’s almost “on vacation” but still sounds serious about his chances against recent Halle champion and No.21 seed Ugo Humbert in the first round on Tuesday.
“I take it day by day, try to be better as a tennis player, try to be better as a person. Honestly I’ve just reached a really nice level of freedom, like nothing fazes me anymore,” a relaxed-looking Kyrgios told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday.
“I definitely feel that I could beat 50 per cent of the draw on grass without much preparation but Ugo has been playing some incredible tennis, obviously coming off that title in Halle. He’s been playing exceptionally well and I’m not surprised at all to be honest.”
Kyrgios has played just six matches this year – one of them was a thrilling five set victory over Humbert in the Australian Open second round.
“What I saw of him in Australia, and you know I feel like I’ve played a lot of players and I’m pretty tactically switched on, he’s got the game to do some pretty special things in this sport,” Kyrgios said of the French lefty, who knocked out top-10 duo Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev en route to the title in Halle last week.
“I wasn’t surprised when he won that event in Halle, he’s a very good grass court player. I know how he can be good on grass, he’s got a very good serve, very good backhand for a lefty, good volleys, so it’s going to be tough.
“But again, I know for a fact that no one wanted to play me first round and I feel completely confident going into this match. I’m not saying I’m the favourite, but I know how to play on grass, I’ve won a lot of matches on grass. It’s going to be fun.”
Kyrgios owns a 13-6 win-loss record at Wimbledon and made the second week on each of his first three appearances at the All England Club.
Arguably the biggest entertainer in tennis, the Canberran has already caused a stir by announcing he’ll be teaming up with five-time champion Venus Williams in mixed doubles this fortnight. Kyrgios had put out a message on his Instagram a few days ago asking if anyone was up for playing mixed at Wimbledon and is thrilled to be pairing up with the 40-year-old legend.
“The mixed doubles pair of the tournament,” he said with a grin.
Kyrgios admits the bubble life these next few weeks can make it tricky for him to switch off from tennis when he needs to, but is keeping things simple with the main goal of enjoying himself at Wimbledon, a tournament he says he could never take for granted.
“I’m not like a first year, second year or third year guy putting pressure on myself to do well. I just want to go out there and play, have some fun,” he added.
“I haven’t been on a tennis court now for a while, so I just want to go out there, it’s Wimbledon, it’s the pinnacle of tennis. I’m going to get myself some strawberries and chill, and hit some serves, hit some volleys, enjoy the grass, and chill out.”
Kyrgios is aware of the fanfare that follows him everywhere on tour and says he gets a “slight smirk” on his face when he sees his name all over social media upon his return to action after a lengthy hiatus.
“I didn’t feel at all that I had to play, I didn’t feel obligated to play, I wasn’t pushed. I just feel like I’ve got a little bit to give left in the game, I feel like a lot of people wanted me to play. I feel like I’m playing for a lot of people,” he said.
