I have a plea and I want all sports fans to listen: Can we please give Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios a bit of slack. The 19 year old is winning the fans’ hearts hand over racket, despite his sometimes arrogant and unpredictable style.
We must remember that it is very difficult to change someone when that is how they are.
Okay, I concede the 19 year old probably should not have used the F-word when he told someone to get off their phone during his extraordinary win over Andreas Seppi. But it was interesting that the crowd didn’t seem to care.
To be honest, I hope someone does speak to him about doing that again. After all, a lot of young kids would have been there and many thousands would have watched the match on television.
But think about it, what else has he done that offends? In my view the answer is nothing. He’s a confident young man, which let’s face it is a trait that we try and instil into our own children.
And yes he’s even over confident sometimes. But that’s better than being tentative and without a clear direction.
In this day and age confidence is king. You can embark on all of the education you like but if you can’t back yourself, or make it clear to others that you’re up for the fight then others will pass you by. Nick Kyrgios is definitely letting everyone know he’s not holding back, and he’s having one hell of a crack.
Remember 20 years ago when Lleyton Hewitt burst onto the scene? He made a number of public blunders, one in which he questioned the knowledge of the fans. But the more I think about it, the more I feel we were simply to quick to judge Lleyton for his behavior. That was what made him so good, that was part of his DNA, and yet we continually tried to change his style.
Did we bag Pat Rafter for being so boring on the court, and being too nice? No of course not, we were happy with that. That suited the public and the media, and that was what made Pat so good: his temperament, control and focus.
So Nick has a few minor issue he needs to think about but let’s not put undue pressure on this exciting prospect simply because we think it’s not appropriate.
Some are saying Nick is one of the most exciting sporting prospects Australia has seen in a long while, so lets not cook the golden goose, instead let it run wild, and who knows what will eventuate.
punter
Guest
But, but, but....
Tristan
Guest
Spot on. Don Bradman is well known as one of the least popular people in the history of Australian cricket - because he was a complete and total bell end.
Davico
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Davico
Guest
@Eugene I suggest you speak to those who played with and against Bradman and don't believe the hype too much. From all reports from people who actual had time with him he was arrogant, vindictive and would toss his toys if he did not get his way. He was a master manipulator of the media and held a grudge like nobodies business. At least Warne and kyrigos what you see is what you get. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Kev
Guest
"This is my opinion and i am entitled to that." - Yeah and I'm entitled to say that your opinion is rubbish and sanctimonious. Away from tennis, you are just as likely to come across a 19 year old who is precocious as you are a 19 year old who needs to do more growing up so why is it that because they play tennis or any other sport for that matter, and are in the public eye, that holier art thou types like yourself think that they have a right to demand that they grow up overnight because they don't fit their stereotype of the ideal athlete? He is just young is legitimate and if you can't stomach that, and If he offends your precious sensibilities so badly and you think that he has to act much older then it's simple, don't watch him and don't support him until he mellows. You say that he is arrogant, how? Because he believes in his own abilities that much? Because he berates himself for missing a shot? Yes there is a thin line between self belief and arrogance and yes he may walk around with a strut and yes he may have an extreme amount of confidence but it's pretty clear that he thrives in an environment where the focus and pressure is on him. It's quite clear that you aren't going to change his behaviour significantly in the same way that you aren't going to get a player who internalizes their emotions to suddenly become more expressive on court so why do you get so worked up over it? Should he tone down the swearing, yelling at ballkids and racquet throwing? Absolutely. Do I think it's wrong? Definitely. But I'm not going to tear shreds off the kid like you are, for a few outbursts on the court.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Being young and immature is a poor excuse for being overly arrogant and disrespectful.
MJB
Guest
Agreed, just leave him alone for christsakes. A few angry or emotional outbursts during a tense three hour tennis game are not exactly worth getting worked up over. It's nowhere near as bad as young Hewitt.
Eugene
Guest
Australians used to be respected for their sportsmanship and congenial behavior on and off the field. Bradman and company were revered for their gentlemanly behavior and set a standard for all Australians to follow . Then along came the likes of Warne and the "CAAAARMORN" screaming embarrassment Hewitt. These guys just lowered the standards one should expect from our elite sportsmen and women. Swearing and carrying on as though you are a cut above is not what Australians expect. This kid needs a kick up the proverbial to settle him down. Encouraging or excusing such crude and bogan-like outbursts is ridiculous.
Chui
Guest
Great post. I cared more about the aggressive demand for his towel from a young ball boy than the phone issue.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Hi Mark, interesting piece. I have nothing against Kyrgios and enjoy his undeniable on-court ability. But please don't assume that we all want to instil that brand of "confidence" into our children. Based on what I've seen to date he is certainly not a role model for how I want my kids to behave - whether they become international sportspeople or street sweepers. The part of Lleyton Hewitt's DNA which makes him so good is not his brash confidence, but what lies that underneath that, i.e. his genuine commitment for country, team and those who support him, and his willingness to fight hard to win every single point. We are yet to see what Kyrgios has underneath his bonnet. In the meantime, on-court success guarantees him favour from apologists like you who excuse borderline behaviour simply because he is "young" and "exciting". Kyrgios can be young and exciting and all the things a tennis champion needs to be AND still be polite and respectful at the same time - if he chooses to be.
Kaks
Roar Guru
He can do what he wants, but that doesnt me that i have to like him for it. I dont like his arrogance and on court demeanor and dont agree with the excuse that "he is just young". This is my opinion and i am entitled to that. I love Australian sportsman doing well, but he can do it with a bit more grace.
Robshots
Roar Guru
What gets me is that so many complained about what he said re the phone. There are pretty big signs at the entrance to each section of Hisense Arena that say "please turn off mobile phones". Maybe the F-bomb wasn't needed but no one should be on the phone either.
ad
Guest
Not really - Kyrgios had won a Challenger and qualified for the US Open at a younger age than Kokkinakis. If you'd asked me 2 years ago I'd have said Kokkinakis will be better, but I'm much less sure about that now.
kazblah
Roar Guru
Hear, hear. He's a great talent, with a lot of fire in his belly. So he's still a little immature. What 19-year-old isn't?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Just wait until Thanasi Kokkinakis finds his way in the ATP. Already doing more things than Kyrgios was doing at his age.