Australian Open Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has called for the Australian Open to be cancelled, while unexpectedly showing sympathy towards world No 1 Novak Djokovic. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Australian Open: Why Nick Kyrgios poses a threat to the big three

Nick Kyrgios has shown greater focus ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year something he attributes to playing for a greater cause.

Australian Open Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has called for the Australian Open to be cancelled, while unexpectedly showing sympathy towards world No 1 Novak Djokovic. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Bad boy Nick Kyrgios is likely to pose an entirely different threat in the year’s opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open, in Melbourne.

Racquets and umpires would have feared the fiery Australian more than any of the game’s top players in 2019, but events off the court may have focused Kyrgios’ mind, making the talented 24-year-old a genuine threat to men’s tennis’ top three players.

A different Nick Kyrgios

Ahead of the Australian Open which gets underway in Melbourne next week, Kyrgios said he would be playing for a lot more than just himself.

“It is not easy to just completely switch your concentration [to] the Australian Open… When you put it in perspective of what is actually going on… I have to find the balance. I have to go out there and try to get the best out of my game,” said Kyrgios in an interview with ATPTour.com.

“But I think when I’m playing, at the moment, I’m playing for a lot more than myself. I feel like I’m getting the best out of myself with that.”

Kyrgios will continue to donate AUD $200 to aid bushfire relief for every ace he serves during this year’s opening Grand Slam. The bushfire’s have ravaged South East Australia, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people and killing over a billion animals according to conservative estimates.

Kyrgios
Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios of Australia wipes his face between points while playing Karen Khachanov of Russia during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 14, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

At the risk of being trite, the tragedy has galvanized Australians and served as motivation for the world-number 26 to elevate his game. Kyrgios has avoided co-opting the bushfires to fit into his own narrative, instead showing greater maturity than ever before.

After Germany’s Alexander Zverev made dismissive remarks about him, Kyrgios refused to resort to trolling and instead apologized to the man he has goaded in the past.

Kyrgios’ response to the bushfires has earned him greater support ahead of the Grand Slam.

The Australian number one has shown earnest support for his countrymen and feels that it is being reciprocated.

“Every time I play here, I’m well-supported,” said Kyrgios. “All my practices are pretty full. I think people are excited to see me.

“I guess with everything going on, the other stuff outside tennis, maybe that’s more what they support rather than my tennis itself. Everything I’m doing is just because I care.”

Kyrgios won three of his four matches at the ATP Cup team event, his only tournament appearance ahead of the Australian Open.

“I really enjoyed [the ATP Cup]. I think a lot of players did. For the first time they’ve had it, I think it was a success,” said Kyrgios. “I really thought it was awesome. I think a lot of my teammates loved it, as well.

“Just any time you get the chance to play in front of your home crowd, feel the energy like that, it’s pretty special.”

Respect for his Australian Open first-round opponent

Kyrgios will open his Australian Open campaign against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy. The top-ranked Aussie in the draw beat Sonego in their only previous meeting at last year’s Western & Southern Open in straight sets.

“Sonego is a tough competitor,” said Kyrgios. “I played him in Cincinnati last year. It was a tough match. Very capable player. Big serve. Loves to hit his forehand.”

Kyrgios has never lost to Novak Djokovic and beat Rafael Nadal in their last meeting on a hard court at the 2019 Mexico Open. Kyrgios is bracketed to face Nadal in the fourth round should both men make it that far while Djokovic and Roger Federer are in the other half of the draw.