The hallowed grass of Wimbledon has always been a crucible for tennis dreams, and for Nick Kyrgios, it was the stage where his life changed forever at just 19. In a recent interview ahead of his live podcast performance at the New Wimbledon Theatre, the Australian tennis maverick opened up about his breakout moment at the 2014 Championships, where he stunned Rafael Nadal in a breathtaking fourth-round upset. John McEnroe, the legendary firebrand of tennis, dubbed Kyrgios the “new star” of the sport, a label that thrust the teenager into the global spotlight. Now, at 30, Kyrgios has made a brutally honest admission: that moment was both a blessing and a burden, reshaping his career and psyche in ways he wasn’t prepared for.
Kyrgios’s 2014 Wimbledon campaign was the stuff of fairytales. Ranked 144th in the world, the Canberra native unleashed a barrage of 37 aces and 70 winners to defeat the then-World No. 1 Nadal in four sets, reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. The victory, punctuated by audacious shots like a between-the-legs flick that electrified Centre Court, announced Kyrgios as a prodigy. McEnroe’s glowing praise cemented the narrative. “We have a new star on our hands,” he declared, heralding a shift in tennis’s hierarchy long dominated by Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. But for Kyrgios, the weight of that expectation was overwhelming. “It was life-changing,” he reflected, “but I wasn’t ready at that age to take on the responsibility.”
The meteoric rise brought instant fame, but it also exposed Kyrgios to intense scrutiny. His flamboyant style—marked by trick shots, fiery exchanges, and unfiltered emotions—drew both adoration and criticism. “I don’t always feel so comfortable there because I don’t act like the normal tennis player,” Kyrgios admitted, describing Wimbledon as a place where he feels like “a snowman in the desert.” The pressure to live up to McEnroe’s prophecy clashed with his rebellious spirit, leading to controversies that have defined his career. From a 2019 feud with Nadal, where he admitted to aiming a ball at the Spaniard’s chest, to a 2022 lawsuit after wrongly accusing a spectator of being drunk, Kyrgios’s journey has been as tumultuous as it is captivating.
Wimbledon remains a poignant touchstone for Kyrgios. His 2022 final against Djokovic, where he pushed the 24-time Grand Slam champion to four sets, haunts him still. “It was only a couple of points here and there where, if I’d acted a bit differently, I would have had a Wimbledon title,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “Do I think about it often? Yes. Do I think about what I could have changed? Yes.” Despite the loss, he takes pride in challenging “the greatest of all time,” a testament to his raw talent. Yet, injuries have since sidelined him, with a knee issue forcing his withdrawal from the 2025 Wimbledon Championships—his third consecutive absence.
Kyrgios’s 2025 season has been a quiet one, with a 1-4 record across four tournaments, including a second-round exit at the Miami Open. Now, he’s gearing up for another comeback at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, a tournament he won in 2019 and 2022. “I’m keen to revisit one of my favorite hunting grounds,” he said, buoyed by a wildcard entry. Off the court, Kyrgios is embracing new ventures, including his Good Trouble podcast, which he’ll perform live in London on June 24. The event promises to showcase his unfiltered charisma, and he welcomes potential hecklers with a grin: “If they want to come and heckle, I’m all for it.”
McEnroe, who shares Kyrgios’s maverick streak, has been a guiding figure. Their bond, forged through shared experiences at events like the Laver Cup, reflects mutual respect. “I worry about him,” McEnroe once said, urging Kyrgios to channel his genius. For Kyrgios, that 2014 shout-out remains a defining moment—a spark that ignited his career but also a reminder of the challenges of stardom. As he navigates his comeback, Wimbledon’s aura lingers, a place of “pain, glory, and controversy” where a 19-year-old dreamer became a global disruptor.
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