Last Friday, Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller ignited a war of words with tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios, claiming “maybe he doesn’t understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian.”
Behavioural issues where the basis of Chiller’s claim, but Tennis Australia has fully backed the talented youngster, after improved performances with racquet and mouth in recent months.
Since his wild sledge-slinging run towards the end of 2015, Kyrgios has been rather tame with his words, while rocketing up the men’s world rankings. More importantly, Kyrgios’ recent performances on clay have been in stark contrast to Bernard Tomic’s utterly embarrassing efforts in recent tournaments.
Several matches in a row Tomic has performed with an air of indifference, even holding his racquet by the wrong end at match point. Does he really does want to become the top player he says he will be every January?
So far, Tomic has proven to be a fair-weather sailor, performing well at home and in tournaments strongly suited to his crafty, flat game. His habit of tanking has not sat well with an Australian public accustomed to seeing ‘guts’ and fighting attitude from yesterday’s heroes Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, is the clear successor to men’s tennis heavyweights Djokovic and Murray, and has been breathing down their necks in recent months with strong performances.
His efforts have been commendable and, except for a small spat with a chair umpire in Madrid, the prodigy has done nothing that would raise eyebrows if it weren’t for his track record and a media keen to jump on any controversy he may bring.
The kid is 20 years old. He’s made mistakes and he’s acknowledged that. He’s never going to be a PR team’s wet dream, but he’s the hottest property in tennis right now, and I can’t think of anyone more exciting to watch given his style and unpredictable nature.
He’s reined it in and deserves to go to Rio, if not because of his medal chances, but because his improved attitude signals that he does want to be a good representative for Australia.
Kitty Chiller made her Olympic debut as a 36-year-old in Sydney, in the obscure modern pentathlete event. She hardly understands the difficulties of being a teenage global sensation, with social media to navigate and the world reporting your every move.
The kid is improving and has so much to offer. Chill out Kitty, and let Kyrgios go for gold.
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