“I can look back and I’ve achieved some pretty cool things. Been on an amazing journey” – Kyrgios looks at the glass half-full

The Australian says he would not feel his career would be unfulfilled if he did not win a Grand Slam singles title

Nick Kyrgios at the 2023 Boss Open in Stuttgart Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

July 5, 2023

Australian tennis star Nick “King’ Kyrgios says he would not feel his career would be unfulfilled if he did not win a Grand Slam singles title in a recent interview with Men’s Health magazine.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up was forced to pull out of this year’s Championships due to a wrist injury, denying him a shot at the Grand Slam which many consider his best shot to win a Major.

“I’ve had that conversation with myself and it’s a tough one to have (Ed Note – about not winning a Slam in singles),” Kyrgios said in the interview “Every day since I came on the scene, everyone in the sport has had an opinion about me. ‘He’s one of the most talented players… will he ever fulfil his potential… will he this, will he that?’ If you allow their expectations to influence you, you can feel like a failure. But I can look back and I’ve achieved some pretty cool things. I’ve achieved a lot, been on an amazing journey.”

“I’m definitely a glass-half-full guy. Getting thrown into tennis at 13 or 14 years old and travelling all over the world, seeing some eye-opening things around the world, I look back at my life and my journey so far and realise I’ve been blessed. Everything is a bonus from now.”

I’m growing up, maturing. I feel I deal with it better.
Nick Kyrgios on his mental health battles

Kyrgios, who has been open about his mental health issues, admitted that he still has to deal with the same but is much more equipped to deal with those battles.

“I still have to deal with it, but I have steps to deal with it better. If I’m feeling down or not motivated, I’m able to step back and analyse it. The biggest thing now is to ask myself, ‘How do I deal with the way I am feeling?’ I have much better habits now; I’m growing up, maturing. I feel I deal with it better”, the Australian said.

“I’ve had it (medication) prescribed, been told to take it, but I never did. I felt there were other ways that I could deal with my problems.”

During the interview, Kyrgios also shared his thoughts about the Big 3 – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – as well as Andy Murray.

“I would say the word has changed maybe six times during the time I have known Djokovic. But right now, the word is legend. He’s a real legend of the game. What I like about Novak is that he deals with a lot of shit but just keeps going. He has a fan base where a lot of people love him and a lot of people don’t. He sometimes doesn’t know where he can play, what tournament, he deals with a lot of other people’s opinions coming at him, and he just does it. That’s a cool thing,” Kyrgios said of the player who beat him in the Wimbledon final last year.

When asked to describe Federer, Kyrgios responded. “GOAT. You’ll never find anyone else who plays like him. So pure, so natural, the way he plays the game… yeah, pure.”

The Australian also described Nadal as ‘intense’ and Murray as one of the funniest guys on tour. “(On Nadal) I would say… [pause] Jeez, this is a tough one. [Pause] I’ve never seen anyone so intense in my entire life. He’s an incredible athlete, but yeah, intense.”

“(On Murray) An underrated player. And one of the funniest guys I ever met in my life. I know his humour isn’t always appreciated in the UK, but he’s so funny. You guys voted him the most boring athlete or some nonsense. I’m telling you, he’s hilarious. The way he tells jokes, really hilarious.”

Kyrgios is next scheduled to play at the UTS event in Los Angeles later this month.