Nick Kyrgios has the ability to beat anybody on the Tour but he needs to be committed to working hard, according to former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.
Kyrgios, who has been ranked as high as 13th in the world, returned to competitive tennis at Wimbledon in what was his first tournament outside of his home country of Australia in more than a year. At the Grand Slam he knocked out 21st seed Ugo Humbert and Gianluca Mager. However, he was forced to retire during his third round clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime due to injury.
During the Grand Slam, the 26-year-old dismissed criticism over a lack of preparation heading into the event. Arguing how he approaches the sport works for him.
“I’ve been playing this sport since I was seven years old. I could have two days (preparation), it doesn’t matter,” Kyrgios said following his first round win at Wimbledon. “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.”
Weighing in on Kyrgios’ approach to the game, former world No.4 Cash says the key is that he continues to enjoy his tennis. In the past the Australian has been a controversial figure on the Tour for his previous antics and at one stage was handed a suspended ban for ‘aggravated behaviour.’
“He’s a super talented player and he’s got all the shots, the ability and he can move. He can do just about everything,” Cash told The Age.
“Obviously for him he’s got to enjoy his tennis. He’s said the bubble life isn’t really for him and I can understand that. He’s got to look after his own wellbeing to make sure that he is happy and enjoying himself because if he’s tired and stressed we know what can happen. Nick can lose his temper and rackets go smashing, umpires chairs and everything else for that matter.”
It is unclear as to when Kyrgios will play his next tournament as he continues to nurse his injury. He has recently pulled out of the Olympic Games following the decision by organisers to ban fans from attending due to rising COVID-19 cases in the area. Joining the likes of Roger Federer and Johanna Konta who have also pulled out.
However, Cash has warned his compatriot that he needs to ‘work hard’ in order to be a consistent contender on the Tour despite his talent. Kyrgios has won six ATP titles so far in his career and has beaten every member of the Big Three.
“It’s good to see him out there enjoying himself. The flip-side of that is he’s got to get himself 100 percent fit and you got to do that by match play and working hard,” said Cash. “That means being on the road, working hard for months, months and months, years, not just two weeks. It will be very hard for him to be consistent even though he has the ability to beat anybody in the world.”
Kyrgios has played just three tournaments so far this season.
