I’m not sure what to make of Nick Kyrgios.
Should I admire the athleticism, the audacity, the fearlessness of youth, the power of his serve or should I turn away in disgust at the pathetic insolence, the regular lack of effort, the stupid press conferences, the very childish behaviour?
I’d like to lean towards the former as watching a young and extremely talented sportsman, whatever their game of choice, is something to appreciate and enjoy.
However, despite the continuing push of Kyrgios as a ‘box office’ attraction, the latter forces its way into the consciousness more often than not.
Quite what he was thinking as Andy Murray was giving him a thoroughly good hiding on Centre Court at Wimbledon in the fourth round on Monday is anyone’s guess but it would hardly be a stab in the dark to suggest it wasn’t how he was going to fight his way back into the contest.
Taking into account all the relevant statistics, this could have been the tie of the round but having gone toe to toe with the new favourite for the title – based on seeding and with Novak Djokovic already gone – for 40 minutes or so, Kyrgios disappeared without a trace over the next two sets as he offered up next to no resistance.
As soon as the tide began to turn against him, Kyrgios’ mentality disintegrated all too readily and the result, even with plenty of time remaining, was never in any doubt.
Murray was very good, make no doubt about that, but he hardly needed to be against an opponent who looked as though he couldn’t be arsed. Given his previous efforts, there is a fair chance he couldn’t.
Add to the melting pot his fatalistic press conference (the world actually isn’t against you Nick so please stop pretending that it is) after the defeat and you have to wonder why he bothers to put himself through the mill if he has little appetite for the scrap.
If you’re going to play then do just that but don’t bore everybody with the continual ‘woe is me’ display which surfaces more regularly than a decent forehand winner.
Everybody has, and is entitled to, their own foibles and if Kyrgios’ is to behave like a three year old and not aim for improvement then so be it but it’s hard to escape from the conclusion that he is squandering a serious talent.
John McEnroe had a habit of acting the brat and doing it very well but his application and dedication to his chosen profession couldn’t be questioned and that is a significant difference between the sport’s original enfant terrible and another barely fit to wear the same moniker.
Act the fool often enough and you become one and there have been too many instances of idiocy for any other conclusion to be drawn.
Actually, does the man himself know what he is?
You can act up but still play the game as plenty do, you can play the game or you can just act up.
In this case there is far too much of the acting up and nowhere near enough of playing the game for anything resembling consistency to be achieved.
So while the occasional flash of brilliance will be forthcoming, deep forays into the latter stages of big tournaments won’t become a common occurrence.
A outlandish drop shot here or a through the legs lob there thrill for a second but they make for mere vignettes and not a full course and when it comes down to it, nobody will remember what has been done with racket in hand when the peripherals are far noisier.
Kyrgios may like to think his maverick tendencies are all part of the show but when people are laughing at you rather than with you then you’re wide of the mark.
Come to think of it, I do know what to make of Nick Kyrgios.
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