Nick Kyrgios says a lack of preparation heading into the Wimbledon Championships never deterred his belief that he has the ability to go deep in the tournament.
The former top 20 player is playing in only his third tournament of the season and the first outside of Australia since Acapulco 16 months ago. Taking on French 21st seed Ugo Humbert in the first round, Kyrgios battled to a 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 9-7, triumph in a clash which took place over two days. Due to the 11pm curfew their match on Court 1 yesterday had to be halted during the early stages of the fifth set.
Kyrgios’ triumph is particularly impressive considering it has been two years since he last played a competitive match on the surface. In fact, he didn’t arrive at Wimbledon until four days before the tournament was going to start. Prompting some to question if Kyrgios has had sufficient enough preparation for the Grand Slam. A theory he swiftly dismissed.
“A lot of people were telling me there’s no chance, there’s no point in you going (to Wimbledon) with that short preparation,” he said.
“I was hearing a load of things. I think it was Gilbert telling me, There’s no chance you can come off the couch and compete at this level against players. I’m like, Dude, I know my game and I know how to play on grass. I’m not scared of anyone in the draw.”
The statistics don’t lie when it comes to the latest performance of the world No.60. Against Humbert, who recently won the Halle title, he produced 23 aces and won 70% of his service points during the three-and-a-half hour encounter. He also hit 51 winners against 37 unforced errors.
“I’ve been playing this sport since I was seven years old. I could have two days (preparation), it doesn’t matter. I’m going to go out there and give it. I’m going to serve big and play big, and just compete. The amount of people who told me my preparation was not good enough, you’re not good enough or anything, I don’t really care what anyone says. I’m my own person. I prepared the way I prepare and it worked.”
Kyrgios’ lengthy absence from international tennis has been linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and reluctance to travel. Also the prospect of having to stay within a bubble through the past few months was something that didn’t appeal to him. At this year’s Championships players have to stay at a designated hotel and are restricted as to where they can go. Anybody who breaks these rules faces the possibility of a fine or even removal from the tournament.
“That’s why I didn’t play most of the year. I made the decision that I know myself and I don’t bullshit to myself,” he explained. “I know that, Nick, are you going to be in a good mental space over this year to go week in, week out in the bubble environment? I said, No. That’s why I didn’t play for very long.”
“Anyone that’s in the bubble, I commend them for their efforts. It’s not easy. It’s not easy to disconnect from tennis. Usually you can go back to your house in the Wimbledon Village, go for a walk, just disconnect.To have good results week in, week out in the bubble you’re very resilient. I got to give props to these guys. They love it. They love the sport. It’s not easy.” He added.
Singles competition isn’t the only focus of the 26-year-old this year. He is also taking part in the mixed doubles alongside Venus Williams in what he describes as ‘a dream come true.’
“To see her still gracing the courts of Wimbledon, winning matches at 41… At 41, I don’t think I’ll be able to honestly hit another ball. She’s a legend,” he said of Williams.
“Maybe she can teach me some of that calm, the water-type energy that’s out there. I’m just going to go out there and have fun. She’s an absolute legend of the sport. I’m super excited. I can tell she’s excited, too. I don’t think she ever thought back in the day she’d be playing mixed doubles with the bad boy of tennis, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Kyrgios will play Italy’s Gianluca Mager in the second round on Thursday.
