Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt believes there is ‘still time’ for Nick Kyrgios to fulfil his potential on the tour as he become the latest figure to urge the Australian to commit more to the sport.
The 23-year-old has ended 2018 ranked 35th in the world following a season hampered by numerous injury issues. It is Kyrgios’ lowest year-end ranking since 2014. Despite the setback, he has also managed to show his talent on the tour by winning the Brisbane International. Kyrgios also reached semi-finals of events at Queen’s and Stuttgart.
Throughout his career, the world No.35 has come under criticism for his at times controversial behaviour on the court. The Australian player has previously been accused of tanking during matches and was briefly suspended from the tour for unsportsmanlike conduct displayed during the 2016 Shanghai Masters. In June he was fined $17,500 by the ATP for making a sexual gesture during his semi-final match at the Fever-Tree Championships in London.
Despite the controversy, Hewitt believes there is still hope for his fellow countryman. The two-time grand slam champion believe Kyrgios should follow in the footsteps of ‘the ultimate professional’ Alexander Zverev. Zverev is currently ranked fourth in the world and has won four titles this year, including the season-ending ATP Finals.
“There’s still time, absolutely – but it goes quickly,” Hewitt commented during an interview with The Australian Associated Press.
“It goes quickly and you get the next group of kids coming up as well and they’ll be challenging next and they’ll see Zverev now is on the plate.
“Two years ago, Nick was probably ahead of Zverev in terms of what a lot of people thought his potential was.
“Zverev’s done absolutely everything right. He is the ultimate professional and he has been from day dot from when I’ve seen him around on the tour.”
Joining in with Hewitt’s calls is John Newcombe. A former seven-time grand slam champion who also won 17 major titles in men’s doubles during his career. The 74-year-old believes it is important that Kyrgios gets fully fit in order to end his run of injuries. This year Kyrgios has been troubled with issues concerning his elbow and hip.
“If he got himself into 100 per cent physical shape, he’d stop getting all the niggling injuries. That would be a big step forward,” he said.
“Because as you get into the mid 20s and late 20s, if you’re not fully fit, you haven’t done the homework, you’re going to get more and more injuries.”
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Kyrgios was seeing a psychologist to help him ‘get on top of his mental health.‘ Admitting that he ‘probably left it a little too long’ to seek help. He is working with two psychologists – one based in Australia and the other overseas – to help tackle his demons.
“He has a lot of potential and talent but he has to learn to use it, maybe pick a better schedule as well and focus on where he wants to peak.” Hewitt concluded.
Kyrgios is set to start his 2019 season during the first week in January at the Brisbane International.
