Nick Kyrgios pictured at the US Open this year.
(The Indian Express)
The Australian has finally discovered his enormous potential, with some breathtaking performances this year.
At the start of the year, Kyrgios was ranked outside the world’s top 100, seemingly struggling for motivation to play at the top level and being unable to get the best out of himself. He needed a big season in 2022, and that’s exactly what he got.
Kyrgios’ year started indifferently as he was disappointingly eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open singles, but remarkably won the men’s doubles championship, paired with best mate and fellow Aussie, Thanasi Kokkinakis.
After that, the talented athlete took almost two months off tennis, before returning to the court at Indian Wells in mid-March.
Upon his return, Kyrgios cited struggles with mental health, saying he felt at rock bottom before turning his fortunes around in 2022.
“Lost the love, lost the fire, lost the spark… then some things just changed in my life”, he said ahead of his Wimbledon final earlier this year.
It has been long known that Kyrgios has a rare talent, with an ability to beat even the best players in the world with, at times, relevant ease. This is despite his lack of preparation, professionalism, and temperament.
The Australian is a polarising figure in the game of tennis, dividing the world with his antics, attitude and on-court personality, but he has found a way for people to gravitate towards his tennis this year.
WEAPON: Kyrgios has a ridiculous level of talent and firepower. Despite still having regular outbursts on the court, that have resulted in Kyrgios amassing more than $800,000 in fines throughout his career, he has found a way to put misfortune aside in games to perform consistently in one of his best years to date.
Former tennis great, John McEnroe praised Kyrgios for his consistency and ability to reach his potential.
“When I saw him three months ago after the clay season, I was like: “Wait a second. What has this guy been doing? Because this is night and day. This is beautiful”, he said.
The talented Aussie has notoriously played limited tournaments in the past and has done so again this year. However, this hasn’t stopped him from climbing up the rankings.
Despite only winning one singles title in 2022, he has made it to the quarter finals or further in eight of his 12 tournaments, this included making the final at Wimbledon and the quarter finals at the US Open earlier this month.
His singles record this year makes for impressive reading. He is 35-10 on the win-loss record with a winning percentage of 78 percent, while in doubles he has also performed strongly with a record of 20-6 at a very similar winning rate.
ENTERTAINER: Kyrgios brings something to the game that no other player does.
(The Washington Post)
Currently ranked 20th in singles after being ranked at 137 in February, Kyrgios’ resurgence is clear. Along with his impressive singles year, he has also won three doubles’ titles, including the Australian Open, he is now ranked 13th in the world.
Kyrgios’ meteoric rise has seen him recapture his best, and with winning records over some of the best players like Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Xverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, anything is possible next year and beyond.
The criticism of the Aussie has stemmed from his inconsistency in effort and form, this would come as he would often beat greats of the sport, but lose to opponents he should beat. The difference between his best and worst was just too great, but he now looks to have put all that behind him.
Due to his limited schedule, Kyrgios is unlikely to play much in the next few months. Instead, he will be preparing for a big Australian summer that will start with lead-up tournaments to the Australian Open in December.
He looks set for another strong year, as he aims to breakthrough for his first major with the lure of making the world’s top 10 as strong as ever.
Kyrgios’ rise back up the ranks has been extraordinary, and I think all tennis fans are happy to see him putting everything together.
EMOTIONAL: Kyrgios wears his heart of his sleeve, but sometimes his emotions get the better of him.
(News 18)
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