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.
Lil
Guest
I agree, it is unfair to tarnish Nick with the same brush as Tomic when he has put in a concerted effort to improve and just going about his business.
Bandy
Roar Guru
That's fair enough, I agree.
Rory
Guest
Granted his behaviour has improved but as you said we are only talking in months after compiling a fairly lengthy rap sheet. That is promising but but doesn't yet amount to much, and it is perfectly reasonable for the Olympic people to insist on a benchmark for behaviour. Remember that the olympic ethos is (or maybe was?) not supposed to be about winning etc etc and like it or not Kitty Chiller's job is to be a guardian of that ethos. It's not ill timed as she doesn't need to be tip-toeing around Nick's fragile temper. She is probably trying to test him out. Respect and humility would be a large part of that ethos and they're not things that readily come to mind when you think of Nick. Or his public persona at least. Maybe it's time for Nick to show something along those lines, then he could put the whole debate to bed. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting that he should be lumped in with Tomic after Tomic's recent escapades, but go back 6 months, maybe.
Bandy
Roar Guru
I think it was unfair to group him with tomic given he recently had a few disastrous incidences involving not trying/tanking, which is worse than having a minor spat with a chair umpire in my opinion. At least Kyrgios is trying, performing well, and improving in both facets (on court and off). Ill-timed warning at the least given he hadn't done anything of note for some months, it was as if she was just stoking the fire.
Rory
Guest
I can't see anything wrong with Chiller putting him "on notice". Let's face it his track record is bad. Sure he's kind of behaving himself at the moment but, given the overwhelming strength of the message to change his behaviour, coming from all sources of power and influence, respected sources, he would have to have had serious issues if he wasn't reigning it in. So it's fair isn't it, that he's still on notice? The twitter comments along the lines of "if you don't want the two best players in the country so be it" shows he is still very immature for his age. Sure, he's probably going to emerge from all this soon enough and be fine, but it's about behaviour, wouldn't matter if he was number 1, and some people need to see he's reached a point where he actually knows himself when something is inappropriate. It the moment he might still be being very much managed in that respect.
Bandy
Roar Guru
He's top 20 in the world with a third round french open appearance to defend. If he does well at the french he may well be top 10 by july.
Lil
Guest
Hugh is right. The top 5 will be getting on and will not be up there forever. Someone has to succeed them, that is why ATP calls it the next generation of players and given time (Nick has only turned pro under 3 years) compared to others in the top 50....he has the potential to be number 1.
Benny
Guest
Nobody is saying he will be like Djokovic. He could easily be like Murray though as most tennis fans would agree that this kid will more than likely win at least 2 slams. And could well get to number 1, albeit in a weaker generation. He is looking by far the most likely of the next generation to be the next world number 1
Lance Skelton
Guest
Let's not get too carried away with Kyrios just yet...he's not the clear successor to Djokovic or Murray as he's a long way from even breaking into the top 10...
jordan
Guest
Kitty Chiller hes gone way overboard, young Kyrgios is best Australian chance of scoring medal, do not let Kitty spoil the party pls.