Nick Kyrgios says he has found inspiration from Emma Raducanu’s comeback from injury.
Kyrgios is himself dealing with a complicated and long injury layoff.
The Australian also believes that British tennis is healthier than many give it credit for
“What she’s gone through in the last year and a half with injury,” Kyrgios said on Eurosport during a commentary stint.
“I’m starting to find some inspiration from players like that who are able to come back and have success. It’s good to see her enjoying herself on court again.
“Norrie has solidified himself as one of the best players in the world, continually wins a lot of matches. Boulter and Draper are [also] exciting young prospects, and it’s good to see young guns finding their ways and winning a lot of matches and doing it their way. It’s a good time for the tennis world”
Kyrgios said that his own biggest wins proved bittersweet as they gave him the wrong impression about the game
“For me, it was a gift and a curse, considering I beat Novak, Nadal and Federer on my first try,” Kyrgios said.
“I was a bit like, ‘Oh, really? That’s it?’. The Slams are a whole different beast. I’ve rarely had success against either of those guys at a Slam. Only done it to Nadal and it’s just managing the ups and downs throughout that three, four, five hour period.
“Nadal, Federer, Novak; they all seem to weather the storm the best. We all go out there and expect such perfect tennis, but for them, it’s such a process. They are able to stay the most consistent, I think, out of every player. A great example was when Novak was two sets to love down against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, and no-one ever really felt like he was going to lose the match. Again, Laslo Djere, two sets to love, that whole best of five, they’re able to stay really composed.”
Kyrgios is in awe of any player who can win even one Grand Slam and feels the achievement isn’t given the respect it deserves when someone like Raducanu takes a huge win.
“I’ve never won a Grand Slam, but I’ve been awfully close,” Kyrgios added.
“I had a couple of really good runs and I think, physically, when I was young, I always thought, ‘Wow, that must be physically really hard to do’, being in the same place for arguably three weeks, to play seven matches, best of five.
“I was like, ‘Wow, physically it must be really hard,’, but the thing I’ve gained respect for the most with these guys is mentally. I was completely gone after my Wimbledon run, I needed a month away from the game.
“These guys win a Grand Slam, barely celebrate, and they’re back into it a couple days later. They’re always looking to improve. The hunger, I don’t know where it comes from. You’ll have to ask them, because I just don’t have that hunger”