- Nick Kyrgios could make his comeback in December
- He was out of action for over a year due to an injury
- Kyrgios admitted that he does not see himself as a ‘bad boy’
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios admits he doesn’t see himself as a ‘bad boy’ and has pointed the finger at several Australian sports stars whose past behavior he said was ‘ten times worse’.
The 29-year-old tennis maverick has made headlines throughout his career for his controversial behavior on and off the court.
Kyrgios has been in the spotlight in the past for smashing rackets on the court, berating opponents and arguing with referees, most notably shooting an official during his 2022 Miami Open match against Jannik Sinner.
Some in the sport have also questioned his behavior, including retired legend Rafael Nadal.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion and the Australian have fought each other in the past, and of his former opponent the Spaniard once said: ‘If he plays good tennis and shows passion for this game, he is a positive player for us. tour and I want my tour bigger, not smaller.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has pointed out to other Australian sports stars that they are ‘ten times worse than him’
Kyrgios has found himself in hot water during his career, especially as a footballer
Nick Kyrgios had a day to forget during his fourth-round exit at the 2022 Miami Open
“When he’s ready to play his best tennis and play with passion, he’s one of these guys. If he does other things, of course I don’t like that.’ However, Kyrgios and Nadal appear to be shaking off any animosity they once harbored, with the former heaping praise on Nadal after his retirement last week.
However, Kyrgios believes he has shed any perception of him being a ‘bad boy’ among the Australian public and pointed to stars from two of Australia’s biggest sports who he believes are ‘worse’.
“I don’t see myself as a bad boy,” Kyrgios said Code Sports from News Corp.
“I think I was branded with that just because I was a little bit outside the circle of what a normal tennis player is.
“If you look at the behavior around some of the NRL, AFL and some of the shenanigans those guys get up to… I think that’s ten times worse than me saying a swear word or smashing a racket.”
Kyrgios impressed with his insights last year, as the Australian star dipped his toes into the media world during his injury break.
In January he joined Eurosport as a pundit on the Australian Open, before joining the BBC at Wimbledon later this summer.
“I know that at the end of the day I am playing a very strict, traditional sport, which is gentlemanly and I have to be on my best behavior,” said Kyrgios, who could make his injury comeback later this year. is preparing to participate in the 2025 Australian Open.
He was about to be disqualified by Brazilian referee Carlos Bernardes who called him a ‘clown’
Over the past year Kyrgios has focused on working in the media and this summer he worked for the BBC at Wimbeldon
“So I know why I was painted that way, but at the same time it attracted a lot of attention… and I just rolled into it.
“I don’t think I carry that perception with the Australian public anymore. But at the beginning of my career, people thought I was a murderer.’
The Australian also opened up about how long he thinks he will continue to play at the highest level.
The tennis star had had a torrid 2023 and was ruled out of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon due to a spate of injuries, including a torn wrist ligament.
He stated to the outlet that he will still be playing at the highest level for about one to two more years, but he still has plenty to give.
