Nick Kyrgios

[Kamileki]

Former Champs Kyrgios & Nishikori Return: Defending champion Nick Kyrgios and 2015 titlist Kei Nishikori will compete here again. Kyrgios went on a memorable run to the Citi Open trophy two years ago, when he saved a match point against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals and beat Daniil Medvedev in the final. The Australian will open against home favourite Mackenzie McDonald.

Nishikori is fresh off a quarter-final showing at the Tokyo Olympics, where he defeated World No. 7 Andrey Rublev in the first round. The Japanese star, who has made at least the quarter-finals in his past four Washington appearances, will begin his campaign against American Sam Querrey in the first round.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/washing ... ing-report

[Damian]

'Relatable' Kyrgios: 'I'm Not Playing For Myself Anymore'

Spoiler:

Former singles champion to team up with Tiafoe in Citi Open return
Despite almost 16,000 km between the U.S. capital and his home base in Australia's capital, Canberra, Nick Kyrgios finds a comforting sense of home at the site of his most memorable title run. While the 26-year-old proves a drawcard at any stop on tour, outside his home country, he holds a particular affinity for Washington, D.C. and much of it boils down to one factor: the fans.

“Yeah, well, definitely feels like home. The first time I came on site today, everyone was kind of embracing me. Felt like I was playing almost in Australia. I feel completely comfortable here,” Kyrgios said ahead of his opening match against Mackenzie McDonald.

“Yeah, I just love the fans. I'm extremely happy to see the Citi Open. I'm pretty sure it's full capacity… You can feel the energy around the courts.”

Two years ago, when the tournament was last played, Kyrgios channelled that crowd energy to stage a remarkable run at the Citi Open. He saved a match point to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals before he denied Daniil Medvedev for the title.


You May Also Like: Tourist Rafa Raves About Washington; Says Djokovic Can Win Grand Slam
This will be only Kyrgios’ fifth event of 2021. While much has changed in the world since that 2019 triumph, the chance to interact with fans and whip up a crowd remains a motivating factor.

“I feel as if I'm not playing for myself anymore. I feel like I'm kind of playing for a lot of people who can relate to me,” Kyrgios said. “I feel like when I was young, I didn't really have goals to win Slams or anything like that…

“Obviously became kind of good, I guess. Then I beat all the top players, won some titles. Feel like I've been pretty iconic in the sport in the sense of doing it my own way, bridging the gap between I think basketball and tennis there now. I've accomplished a lot.

“I enjoy now playing just for fun. I really do enjoy just being around fans, just talking with them, getting to know what they do. It was just, like, some touching moments that I remember, my favourite parts of my career, just being with fans, giving them some hope.”

In an added bonus for fans, the Australian teams up with good friend and Washington, D.C. local, Frances Tiafoe, in doubles this week. They face a tricky opener against third seeds Ivan Dodig – a recent Olympic doubles silver medallist – and Rohan Bopanna, a showdown from which Kyrgios admits he has little to lose.

“I don't know how we're going to concentrate out there. That's one thing. I could be an absolute disaster or it could be a lot of fun,” he said. “Me and Frances, when we're together, we don't stop laughing and we don't have any sort of tennis talk really. We'll see how it's going to go. I think that one's obviously just for the crowd.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/kyrgios ... iew-sunday

[Damian]

Washington Lobbyists: Why Kyrgios Lets Fans Tell Him How To Serve

Spoiler:

The Aussie looks back at his memorable 2019 Washington run
Welcome to the Nick Kyrgios show. Now, pick your serve!

Two years ago at the Citi Open in Washington, Kyrgios went on one of the most memorable runs of his career to claim the ATP 500 title. Along the way, the Aussie gave a new dimension to fan engagement. The inimitable right-hander began asking fans where he should serve on match point.

“It’s kind of like the finale. Who’s the lucky fan to tell me where to serve on match point?” Kyrgios said. “I feel if it works, it’s a memory they’re going to keep for life.”

Kyrgios wants to provide an experience for the fans, not just a match. The 26-year-old loves putting on a show.

“Fans for me are the reason why I play. I love to entertain, I feel like it’s all a show,” Kyrgios said. “It’s not just me going out there hitting good forehands, hitting good backhands. It’s about making everyone in that crowd feel as if they’re in the match as well.”

How To Watch

The six-time ATP Tour titlist feels at home in the United States, and he has fond memories of his triumphant week in Washington. To some, asking fans for serving advice against the world’s best players might seem risky, but not to Kyrgios.

“I feel like I’m an 'in-the-moment' type of guy. I feel like that’s how you get the crowd involved,” Kyrgios said. “They’re maybe not ever going to be able to play that level one day, but they’re watching it and to make them feel involved, you ask them, ‘Alright, where do you think you want me to serve? Where would you serve if you were in this moment?’”

That was not the only way Kyrgios entertained that week. The Aussie also delivered Stefanos Tsitsipas’ spare shoes on one knee. Between the fun he had and defeating the likes of Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev en route to the trophy, it was a tournament Kyrgios will never forget.

“That was one of my favourite weeks of my life.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/kyrgios ... nt-in-time

[Damian]

[Nando]

[Damian]

Kyrgios Accepts Toronto Wild Card

Spoiler:

This will be the Aussie's third tournament of the North American hard-court swing
Australian Nick Kyrgios has accepted a wild card into the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, Tennis Canada announced Wednesday.

This will be the seventh time the 26-year-old has competed in Canada’s ATP Masters 1000 event, where he owns a 5-6 record.

“I’m really pleased to be playing in Toronto this year,” Kyrgios said in a statement. “I’ve always enjoyed my time in Canada and have great memories of playing there. Hopefully I can play well and put on a good show for my Canadian fans.”

At Wimbledon, Kyrgios played his first tournament outside Australia since February 2020 in Acapulco. The World No. 77 has since played in Atlanta and Washington. He is 7-5 on the season.

The National Bank Open Presented by Rogers will be held from 9-15 August in Toronto. The tournament alternates between Toronto and Montreal.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/kyrgios ... -wild-card

[Nando]

[Damian]

Kyrgios/Tiafoe Begin Washington Campaign

Spoiler:

Skupski/Venus also advance
Wild cards Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe opened their Citi Open doubles campaign with a hard-fought win over third seeds Rohan Bopanna and Ivan Dodig 7-5, 1-6, 11-9 on Wednesday in Washington.

The Australian-American tandem, who are teaming for the first time this week, won 75 per cent (36/48) of their first-service points to set up a meeting with #NextGenATP stars Sebastian Korda and Jannik Sinner.

You May Also Like: Nadal Sinks Sock In Washington Thriller
Neal Skupski and Michael Venus also advanced to the quarter-finals as the second seeds overcame French-Australian team Fabrice Martin and Max Purcell 7-5, 6-3 in 67 minutes. The British-New Zealand tandem next face Cameron Norrie and Luke Saville.

Alex de Minuar and John Millman sprung a surprise as the Australians upset top seeds John Peers and Filip Polasek 7-6(4), 5-7, 10-7. De Minuar and Millman will next play Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Melo after the Brazilian-New Zealand team took down Marcelo Arevalo and Matwe Middelkoop 7-6(8), 6-2

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/washing ... -wednesday

[Lucas]

[Nando]

Kyrgios Leads Wild Cards: Australian Nick Kyrgios will compete in his sixth event of the season after accepting a wild card into the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers. The 26-year-old, who is making his seventh appearance at Canada’s Masters 1000 event, has played in Atlanta and Washington in recent weeks following his run to the third round at Wimbledon. Kyrgios faces big-serving Reilly Opelka in one of the most intriguing first-round matches. In addition to Kyrgios and Brooksby, home favourite Vasek Pospisil also received a wild card.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/toronto ... ing-report

[Nando]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[DUN I LOVE]

Artysta Hilmy.

[Damian]

Kyrgios, Opelka & Isner Join Laver Cup's Team World

Spoiler:

Auger-Aliassime, Schwartzman and Shapovalov also on Team World

Captain John McEnroe announced Thursday that Nick Kyrgios, Reilly Opelka and John Isner will join Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime and Diego Schwartzman on Team World at the Laver Club, to be played from 24-26 September.

“Reilly had a great run last week in Toronto to reach the finals and I’ve been really impressed with his recent form,” McEnroe said. “He’s a young guy and new to the Laver Cup, but with John and Nick having been part of the Laver Cup since the start, we have a ton of experience on our side and that’s going to be critical.

“We’ve had some tough losses over the past couple of years and have come painfully close, especially last year when we were just a tie-break away from victory. I believe that with the energy of the home crowd behind us and maybe a little bit of luck we can get the win this time!”

Top-ranked American Opelka rose nine spots last week to reach a career-high FedEx ATP Ranking of No. 23 following his impressive win over World No. 3 and Team Europe player Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Toronto.

“I’m very excited to be representing Team World at the Laver Cup in Boston,” Opelka said. “Playing in the U.S. in an arena like TD Garden, with John McEnroe as our captain, is going to be a surreal experience. I can’t wait.”

Isner is also enjoying some great recent form, having captured his 16th ATP Tour title in Atlanta at the start of the month and reaching the semi-finals last week in Toronto. The big-serving American has been part of the Laver Cup since the inaugural event in Prague in 2017.

“None of us really knew what to expect that first year in Prague, but it was one of the most incredible weeks and is now a highlight of my year,” Isner said. “To be on a team with guys we’re normally competing against is so different and so much fun. We come together so well as a group, the chemistry is awesome and it’s such a great environment to be part of.”

Kyrgios, one of the game’s biggest personalities and an avid Boston Celtics fan, agrees.

“Laver Cup is my favorite week of the year and I just love being part of the team. It’s going to be unreal playing at TD Garden, home of the Celtics,” Kyrgios said. “Boston fans love their sports, so if we can win the Laver Cup anywhere, then TD Garden and Boston, one of the greatest sports cities in the world, is the place to do it.”

The fourth edition of the Laver Cup will take place at TD Garden, Boston, from 24-26 September 2021. Team Europe hoisted the trophy at the inaugural event in Prague in 2017, Chicago in 2018 and Geneva in 2019.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/team-wo ... nouncement

[Damian]

Kyrgios Withdraws Ahead Of Murray Showdown In Winston-Salem

Spoiler:

The Aussie was scheduled to play former World No. 1 Murray
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the Winston-Salem Open on Sunday evening due to a left knee injury before a scheduled first-round showdown against former World No. 1 Andy Murray. Murray will now play lucky loser Noah Rubin.

“I was in Florida, in Bradenton rehabbing and training and came here obviously excited to play here. I love the facility, it’s really great," Kyrgios said. "To play Andy Murray, one of my good friends and a tennis icon would have been amazing, but obviously I have to look after my body.

“I just didn’t feel as if the risk was worth [playing] today. I’ve got to be more cautious with it, keep rehabbing, keep training.”


Kyrgios and Murray were set to clash for the seventh time in their ATP Head2Head series (Murray leads 5-1) and for the first time since the Aussie triumphed at The Queen's Club in 2018.

“I feel when I play it’s a bit of a rarity these days and and to have someone like Andy going through what he’s gone through and to be back on Tour as well, I think this match was very hyped up,” Kyrgios said. “I was obviously excited to play him."

Kyrgios, who said he has felt the left knee pain for about two weeks, was at IMG Academy in Florida to try to improve it. The 26-year-old most recently competed in Toronto, where he lost a three-setter in the first round against eventual finalist Reilly Opelka. The Aussie plans to play the US Open.

“I just need a bit more time," Kyrgios said. "As a professional athlete playing on Tour for this long I want to look after my body, I want to do it right."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/kyrgios ... withdrawal

[Kamileki]

[DUN I LOVE]

@COA, będzie szlem za 15 dni. Jak nic.

[Damian]

[Damian]