Is Nick Kyrgios rising, or are we witnessing a false dawn?

Nick Kyrgios, most sports followers have a visceral reaction to those two words. I’m an unashamed fan. In forty odd years of watching sport there are a few individuals that stand out.

Statistics are a great measure but the entertainment, flair and skill are the unmeasurable that capture my attention.

Kyrgios is a rare talent, and for a moment consider this, he doesn’t have a coach. Tennis greats have often marvelled at how much talent he has. Recently Patrick Mouratoglou, long time coach of Serena Williams, analysed his serve and explained that he has no discernible difference in his ball toss whether he hits 200+ down the T, a slider or a short cross court kicker making him near impossible to read.

His underarm is just a little added extra insult.

In his recent match in the final at the Washington open he won 70 percent on first serves, which is a pretty good stat. He won 79 percent on second serves which is phenomenal. He doesn’t really play with a second serve. There are all hit as if they are first serves.

You can be hoodwinked by the tweeners, the cheeky drop shots but he has an ability to generate amazing power and placement with his wrist only. His anticipation on return let him hit ridiculously flat returns without a backswing – just bunts it back.

(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

He’s a loose cannon, controversial, inconsistent, temperamental and disrespectful. He’s nonchalant, kind, fun and engaging. The NK foundation helping kids, the bushfire appeal.

He’s open to talk about his mental health issues. Decided to not play tennis and stay in Canberra with his family during the height of Covid.

Doesn’t play the French cause but will next year so he can go to Paris and sight see with his girlfriend. Plays a limited schedule as it is and will never have to work again in his life if he chose to retire now.

In modern parlance he is a ‘disruptor’. Baseball caps, could care less attitude, high fives with the crowd.

But…it’s somewhat starting to turn. He won the Australian Open doubles – so now has a grand slam title.

He made the Wimbledon final, which by Novak Djokovic’s admission, Kyrgios lost, rather than the Djoker winning. It was on Nick’s racquet and he was pressured out of it by a guy who has been to a slam final more than 20 times.

He’s starting to string together some wins. Didn’t play Atlanta singles but won the doubles.

Played Washington and won 64 service games and didn’t face a break point unit the final. Won the singles and then an hour or so later backed up and won the doubles with Jack sock.

Now in Canada he’s come from a set down against Daniil Medvedev to win in three. The third set 6-2. He’s beaten everyone he’s played against in the top 10 at least once, perhaps with the exception of Berretini who he has played once.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

When he is dialled in he can beat anybody. He’s proven that, Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Alex Zverev, Medvedev have all succumbed.

He does it his own way and is one of the few sports people I will get up during the night to watch.

There isn’t a player on tour that would be happy to see his name in their section of the draw. He is top 5 for winning percentage this year and currently is 26-7 W-L.

He’s won 15 of his last 16. He’s wobbled but not completely self-combusted. Its taken time for him to settle and if continues on this path he’ll be a scary proposition.

Here we are now – entertain us.

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