MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Nick Kyrgios of Australia serves in his Men's Doubles Semifinals match with Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia against Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina during day eleven of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios admits to not wanting to follow the footsteps of legendary Roger Federer in tennis history
Australian tennis sensation Nick Kyrgios has revealed his thoughts on emulating some of the best in the game. He says he has always been “emotional and theatrical” but wants to be remembered as an icon.
The 26-year old added that he doesn’t want to be like Roger Federer and is undeterred by the prospect of never winning a singles Grand Slam tiitle.
Kyrgios’s best Grand Slam results are reaching the quarterfinals at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships and the 2015 Australian Open. Since then, the former World No. 13 has been in and out of Tour due to injuries. He said: (h/t EuroSport)
“You look at some athletes around the world: Neymar, Russell Westbrook – they’re more than just an athlete. I have my own foundation, I help kids, I’m a platform, I’m more than just a tennis player. want to be remembered as more than just someone who played [tennis]. I want to be remembered as an icon — someone who just went out there and did it their own way.”
He continued saying: “I don’t really care if I don’t win a Grand Slam [in singles] one day, or I don’t want to be like Roger Federer or something like that. But now, I honestly don’t care how I’m perceived because I know deep down, and the people around me know, that I’m a caring person. I’m always myself.”
Kyrgios is set to return this month to the ATP Tour. He intends to play more doubles with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis, including at the US Open.
Federer has been out since the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. His surgery is likely to keep him out until the summer of this year. But could it be the last season for Federer?
The 40-year old has barely played since returning in 2019. He is expected to wait for the doctors’ go to begin training again. The former World No. 1 has dropped to No. 30 in the ATP rankings.
The entire tennis world will be eagerly waiting for the 20-time Grand Slam Champion to return for one final swing.
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