‘Entertainment, regardless of winning or losing’: Kyrgios knows his role in latest comeback
The former world No.13 spoke candidly to this masthead, saying he needs to lower his ego and doesn’t want to outstay his welcome.
Brisbane: Forget contending for titles, Nick Kyrgios is just out to entertain in his latest comeback bid and embrace being “a chaotic mess”.
Speaking to this masthead ahead of the Brisbane International, the former world No.13 said: “I don’t want to be one of those guys who hangs around the sport for way too long and leaves a sour taste in your mouth, where it’s like, ‘Oh, f---, he’s back. Can this guy just piss off?’
Nick Kyrgios was at his straight-talking best ahead of the Brisbane International.Credit: Getty Images
“But I feel like I’m only 30 years old, and just because I turned pro very early doesn’t mean that I’m old, old yet.
“I’ve been selling out stadiums around the world, so I feel like there’s a lot of fans who still want to see entertainment, regardless of if it’s winning or losing – [they just want to see] something different.
“There are fans who think the game is boring right now, and they need some sort of drama … they want to see a show. They want to see entertainment. That’s what it’s about now – and I feel like I can add to that.”
Kyrgios, who turns 31 in April, said he was in superior physical and mental shape to this time last year after a whirlwind of exhibition matches in three countries, capped by his much-discussed “Battle of the Sexes” clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
“I feel like, no matter how much time I take off, or what events I play ... I’m always in the media for something, and I feel like I just can’t stay away from that,” Kyrgios said.
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios ahead of their “Battle of the Sexes” match.Credit: Getty/AP
Knee and wrist injuries largely sidelined him since his career-best 2022 season, when he stretched Novak Djokovic to four sets in that year’s Wimbledon final before also reaching the US Open quarter-finals.
Persistent swelling in his right knee had prevented him from practising for more than half an hour, he said, before sudden improvement in September convinced him to take aim at another Australian Open despite fearing he had played at Melbourne Park for the last time.