I’m writing this as Nick Kyrgios battles away against another future great, Alexander Zverev, in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters. You wouldn’t know it, though.
Kyrgios has, by my count, hit five trick shots thus far, one of them set-point down in the second set tiebreaker.
It’s unprofessional, it’s anti-Hewitt, but god it’s entertaining. I can’t stop watching him.
Mercurial is an understatement. No matter how well he is playing, or how badly he is crushing his opponent, the fuse remains short and within reach of his explosive temper.
For raw talent you cannot get a better specimen; he is Federer’s equal.
But where Federer has refined his game, sanding the rough edges away to reveal the smooth Swiss-timepiece his game ticks along to, Kyrgios remains a monstrous, jarring juggernaut overpowered by only his own emotions. Refusing to train, unshackled pathos, he plays and talks in the moment – anything can come out.
Where there is no love, there is no fear, and it is from this barren place Kyrgios’ talent reveals itself. It is very, very difficult to hit the shots that he does, in the moments which he hits them (which is, literally, any point at all) unless there is a total lack of care for the outcome. Loose.
Tennis is a game for him, it’s not a love, it’s not some anxiety-driven passion like it may be for Nadal. The Miami Masters is a hit-and-giggle. Wimbledon, is a hit-and-giggle. 99.9 per cent of top players experience tension, nerves and anxiety in the big moments, the tiebreakers, the fifth sets. Kyrgios couldn’t give a rats, and that’s the great part.
Federer, despite his talent and mental fortitude, still experiences tension – we see it in the way he plays big points, a little more percentage based – but Kyrgios? Second serve down break point there’s a very good chance he will just try and ace you. Swing, bang, deuce, thanks. If he double faults? ‘Pfft, I don’t care’.
It’s not only the playing style, it’s the personality – the shock factor. The comments and racquet breaks, the arguments with umpires and tanking of matches. This is just as entertaining. Sure, the purists don’t like it, but who doesn’t slow down when you drive past some open domestic in your neighbourhood?–drama is addictive.
Drama is entertaining and sport is entertainment first and foremost.
Do we want players to be good role models for children? Absolutely, but we have plenty of them in tennis, just look at pretty much every other guy that’s not Kyrgios. It’s ridiculous to assume every guy that swings a racquet well is going to be your model citizen. Good behaviour and talent is not a recipe for sporting greatness, that’s for sponsorship.
Kyrgios is something tennis has needed for ten years. We lost Goran Ivanisevic, we lost Marat Safin, we lost Fernando Gonzalez, and Andy Roddick. We need characters. Villains, jokers, goody two shoes and heroes. A mixed bag will cast a wider net and ultimately bring more people into the sport.
To have your top guys all tow the line into the PR machine is probably nice for Mercedes-Benz and Rolex’s old white men, but kids today are exposed to more sports and more distractions than ever before – Kyrgios’ X factor is a blessing tennis won’t recognise until he is gone.
Tomorrow he takes on Federer, as he has just defeated Zverev in a typically seesawing affair of trick shots, aces, jaw-dropping forehands and drop shots. Oh, and he argued for no reason with a poor old line judge. Shocking!
express34texas
Guest
Not even close. Fed still is by far.
Bob
Guest
He's actually a coward. He tanks because he's afraid to lose and then be seen as a loser. Most sports people are afraid to lose and certainly most top ones. What stops them being cowards is they overcome the fear by trying whereas this guy gives up and pretends he can't gibe an ar*e. It's all so sad really.
punter
Guest
What a great match was on the edge of my seat. Federer is a champion. Nick is getting there, what a player.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I didn't notice him throwing any games in front of this crowd. Perhaps they should have been booing Fed for his bad behaviour when he was 16.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
OK, Hugh. Now that we've got the Federer match comments out of the way, let's consider some of the points you made in your article. As a few of the comments above have pointed out, Kyrgios showed, by smashing his racquet after the last point, that he cares a lot these days. And I think that's a step forward. Darren Cahill, during the match, mentioned that Kyrgios seemed to take on board the criticisms (and praise) that Rod Laver made during the Aus Open. He apparently literally went away and came back for the Davis cup tie, a couple of weeks later, with a new serious and positive attitude. I think we have seen the results of that since. Certainly he has smashed racquets and questioned line calls, but he seems focused on matches despite this - something that has not been apparent over the last couple of years or so. I think you may be mistaking his attitude. His apparent casual attitude and devil-may-care approach is, I believe, an extreme example of an approach recommended by all decent coaches - worry about the process not the result. Those tweeners are as much a part of an effort to deceive the opponent as a show-off display. " Do we want players to be good role models for children? Absolutely, but we have plenty of them in tennis " Umm, maybe. But just because there are other good role models is not an excuse for being a bad one yourself. But as I say above he seems to be improving. As much as I still have a lingering dislike for him, I agree that tennis needs a superbly talented entertainer. I just hope he hangs around long enough to mature enough to make it to the top.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Booing is tolerable. But calling out during points is pathetic. Especially when he's close to winning.
Pablo
Guest
Its hardly surprising now is it? He has hardly gained much respect from the public with his past antics. If he wants to go out and throw games then he can cop a bit of booing - respect goes both ways.
Nate
Guest
Pretty disgraceful from Mirka joining in the jeering as well but she has plenty of past form for that. Apparently you can get away with that when you are in Fed's camp.
Aaron
Guest
Disappointed in the crowd, and that Nick let it get to him. He got too nervous and distracted when the match was his, just like the first set. Epic match though. Kyrgios is the man.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yes agree. NK didn't deserve that crap after the entertainment he gave them.
JGK
Roar Guru
Fed wins one of the great matches and Kyrgios loses his nana at the crowd.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Disgraceful behaviour by the Miami crowd. Not that I expect much better from American crowds. Ruined what was otherwise an incredible amazing match. Yet all they seemed to be focused on was Kyrgios taking time between points.
JGK
Roar Guru
And he gives it up after someone in the crowd calls out during a point.
JGK
Roar Guru
Kyrgios gets the mini-break.
JGK
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, Rafa is smiling...
AZ_RBB
Guest
Confirmed. What a great rivalry even if it is just 2 games old (young)
JGK
Roar Guru
About to go to tie breaker again.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Stat going around - every single set these two have played in has gone to a tiebreak. 5 sets in a row! Games on serve in this 6th set between these two.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Loving this match As the comment above says, these are two of the most "watchable" players on tour.
Aaron
Guest
This is awesome. Federer is so aggressive. Playing the angles. Tie break again?