“It brings the fire in himself that he needs to play his best” – Mouratoglou on Kyrgios’ on-court volatility

There is no doubt that Nick Kyrgios is one of the most talented and charismatic players on the tennis circuit. The Australian is also one of the most popular players on tour, especially when he plays well as he has played over the course of this season.

But while tennis purists may scoff at Kyrgios’ penchant to create drama and chaos during his matches, noted tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou (co-founder of Tennis Majors) says that the Wimbledon runner-up needs that kind of energy to play better.

In the latest episode of “The Eye of the Coach”, Mouratoglou says Kyrgios plays much better when he is vocal and agitated on the court as compared to being quiet.

“I think it’s his way to get his energy, to get his will, to get his aggressiveness that he needs to play with,” Mouratoglou said in the 60th episode. “When he’s too silent he’s not that aggressive, in the game, and he’s not playing his best – I think he’s much more vulnerable in the matches when he’s quiet, when there is no problem.” 

Mouratoglou went on to say that he believes Kyrgios creates problems as it helps him to play better.

“In a way he creates problems because he needs them to take the best out of himself,” said Mouratoglou, who is now working with former women’s world No 1 Simona Halep. “A lot of people think he’s annoying and I understand – I’m not saying it is good or not good. I’m saying it’s good for him and he needs it, and that’s why he creates problems.” 

Mouratoglou went on to cite the example of the highly tense Wimbledon third round clash between Kyrgios and fourth seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, who trains at Mouratoglou’s Academy in France.

“When he played against Stefanos at Wimbledon and he thought that Stefanos should have been defaulted because he threw the ball in the crowd, he spoke about it almost the whole match and he probably played the best he’s ever played. The next morning I was in the locker room and Nick was still talking about it, with another chair umpire or whatever, shouting and still into it. He needs it, it brings the fire in himself that he needs to play his best.”

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