Nick Kyrgios has made his thoughts clear on Australia and his future in the game, unloading on the Australian Olympic Committee over his 2016 ban.
The tennis star, who has been trying his hand at commentary and interviewing at this year’s Australian Open, revealed the depth of his disgust with the AOC and its former chef de mission Kitty Chiller.
He was not selected for the 2016 Rio Olympics despite being ranked No.13 in the world at the time.
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
“One thing I will guarantee, though, is that if I am fit and ready to play, I won’t be making myself available for the Olympics,” Kyrgios wrote in a column in The Age.
“The way I was treated by the Australian Olympic Committee and former chef de mission Kitty Chiller will never be forgotten.
“To ban me from playing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games was a disgrace. I was No.13 at the time and had a genuine chance at winning a medal. For them to forbid me from representing my country for behavioural reasons is something that I just can’t forget.
“I won’t be putting my hand up to play in Paris this year. Eight years ago, I was desperate to represent Australia at an Olympic Games, but my mentality has changed.
“I wanted to play for my country, I can’t say that I still have that desire. And let’s be honest, I haven’t exactly felt like Australia has wanted me to represent it either. I’ve said before, I often feel more at home away from home.
“Some people are rejoicing in the fact that I’m not playing. I think the crowds and viewership at the Australian Open the past couple of years tell a different story.
“Sport is entertainment and I like to think that I’ve put on a show. But the curtain has to close at some point.”
Kyrgios, not for the first time, also wrote that he might not return to the tennis tour.
Unranked after slipping out of the world’s top 1000 following just one on tour match in 16 months, Kyrgios says he’s enjoying life as a commentator and talk show host and can see that as his fulltime future going forward.
“I sat down with my agent, Stuart Duguid, a couple of days ago to talk about my future.
“The reality is, there is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over. And I’m OK with that.
“It’s a conversation that needed to be had. I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me.
“It’s why my manager brought it up. He said, ‘This could be you from now on if you want it to be’.
“I could travel the world making really good money commentating on the sport, doing things like I am now with my talk show interviewing guys like Gordon Ramsay and Mike Tyson.”
The 28-year-old believes he’s already doing what many players would love to be doing.
“They don’t have the global reach that I do,” he said.
“Otherwise, they would be doing it too.
“Their entire world revolves around playing tennis, and that’s never been me.”
The one-time world No.13 conceded the “stars would have to align” for him to make a successful comeback after knee and wrist surgeries.
“I sit there and watch some of the players on tour and know within myself that this generation is not as strong as some of the players I have gone up against,” he said in the newspaper column.
“I know I can be one of the best in the world and win major tournaments – if my body lets me. The fire still burns, but it’s not my everything.”
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I can see the appeal from some end but over a long period of time, Kyrgios has had a string of disrespectful, nasty incidents, that are just plain anti-social rather than being a maverick (eg: belittling officials who are doing their job, ridiculing journalists who ask reasonable questions, his behaviour towards Wawrinka was absolutely shameful - and he apologieses for none of it). He is very, very self absorbed, in the way that players like Federer, Barty, Sinner and many others are not. 99% of his writings are about himself. Ian Botham is a highly conservative man who has now inherited a seat in the House of Lords who strongly endorses the royal family; I would not classify him as a rogue but well and truly part of the British establishment - maybe not when he started? Generally speaking, I think the majority of Australians like sportspeople who see the big picture and don't talk themselves up. Kyrgios is definitely not in this category
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Put it this way. I think Americans find him amusing despite his flaws because he’s a maverick who refuses to conform to polite society. They revere guys like Allen Iverson or Kyrie Irving. I know a few who say Kyrgios is their favourite player. The Brits were mostly horrified by Kyrgios at first but they have history of taking to a rogue with a heart in the long run. Your Ian Bothams, Paul Gasgoines or George Bests. Australians… It seems once your out, your out. Mark Philipousis we never liked. The way we treated Novak Djokovic or the Sandpapergate 3. Even Israel Folau. We’ve had athletes that have done far worse, criminal things, and forgiven them because they conformed to our idea of whats permissable. For my part, I found Lleyton Hewitt to be far more cringeworthy than Nick Kyrgios. But I missed the Kokkanakis game.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Its that kind of attitude is what I’m talking about, mate. Its not a personal insult, dont take it as one.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
NRL players were not in her jurisdiction. Removing Kyrgios was a good idea. He can't keep behaving like a Yr 8 student with impunity.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Kitty Chiller will go down as the dumbest sports adminstrator in the history of this country. The Australians would have been better off in the favelas than under her watch. How can you possibly let your Olympic team into a building with a constant strong methane spell indicating gas leakage. Our best performer relative to expectations didnt stay in the village Why she was concerned with Kyrgios is completely beyond me, in Australia compared to NRL players Kyrgios is well behaved.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
I think some of what you're saying can often be true. But it doesn't make Kyrgios more appealing as a person. He really does come across as an overindulged child with breathtaking levels of arrogance. I don't think he's actually quite the non-conformist he makes himself out to be. That awful, jingoistic doubles game with Kokkinakis a couple of years ago was really cringeworthy.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Because he is an embarrassment.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I reckon you're in the zone there.
high horse
Roar Rookie
he is a nob and dont hurry back
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Bernard Tomic?
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Why?
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
I think Nick has brought a lot of the antipathy on himself but, having said that, I kinda agree with him. Australia can be a crushingly conformist nanny state that persecutes those that think and act differently. I myself feel more comfortable living away from it, even though I love my family and friends that live there and many of the experiences I had growing up there and am still proud to call myself Australian. Just don't wanna live there full time. It is what it is. I don't expect people to understand.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Nick and I have won 7 titles between us
Cam
Roar Rookie
Nick and I have something in common, neither of us will ever represent Australia at the Olympics.
Bloodman
Roar Rookie
Let it go, Nick
Aransan
Roar Rookie
He may be Australia’s greatest wasted talent, we will never know. It is all too much about himself.
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Noticed he was also talking about how good he could have been. If only he was in a position to do something about it? Or if people had gently tried to tell him? Not sure if we’ve had a worse person representing Australia? Greg Norman? Nil-all draw. Ban on Kyrgios was also completely justified. Should have happened earlier.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Sounds like his behavior hasn’t improved! I feel uncomfortable when I have watched some of his matches in the past, the way he verbally abuses his team in the box. It’s unAustralian champ!
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
So much natural talent, but so little heart.