Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has reiterated his retirement pledge – that if he wins a grand slam, he’ll bow out of the sport.
The controversial but entertaining top-ranked Aussie was at his brilliant best in Friday night’s charity clash with 21-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic.
But Kyrgios said he remains committed to life away from the sport, should he win a grand slam title.
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When asked if he was serious about retiring if he ever won a grand slam singles title, Kyrgios said: “100 per cent.
“It’s a lot of training, a lot of work.
“I just want to eat what I want to eat, drink what I want.
“It’s a hard life (on the tennis tour).
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“I’m going to try and do it this year and hopefully I can do it, but it’ll be hard.”
Kyrgios pulled out plenty of trick shots on his way to a hilarious three-set victory, but it was his attacking backhand and powerful forehand that drew most praise from commentators.
“What about that change of direction? Out of nowhere,” commentator David Culbert said.
“It defies physics.”
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“It’s unbelievable isn’t it? It doesn’t often look like he’s in any position to go through the line,” ex-Aussie tennis star Alicia Molik added.
“He just shaves the ball on impact. He does it with his hands,” Wally Masur praised.
“It’s so Nick – he’s just explosive and unpredictable.”
Even rival Djokovic believed Kyrgios could reach the pinnacle of the sport and win a grand slam.
“As far as I’m concerned, he can win one,” he said.
While conceding there was “too much expectation” on his shoulders, Kyrgios is facing a tough road to the Australian Open final in 2023.
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Kyrgios opens against Russia’s Roman Safiullin and will then face a Frenchman, Ugo Humbert or Richard Gasquet, before a potential third-round match with No.9 seed Holger Rune.
He’d then meet No.5 seed Andrey Rublev in a potential fourth round match up before booking a date with Djokovic in a quarterfinal.
Kyrgios enjoyed a stellar 2022 calendar year where he claimed the Australian Open doubles crown with compatriot and friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, before finishing runner up in the Wimbledon final against Djokovic.