"Deep down, he's still disappointed" - Hewitt on Kyrgios Wimbledon final

Friday, 15 July 2022 at 12:10

Updated at Wednesday, 04 December 2024 at 18:07

Kyrgios Nick Wimbledon2022 MartinSidorjak13

bySam Frape

Nick Kyrgios lost his maiden Grand Slam singles final a couple of days ago at Wimbledon, and according to compatriot Lleyton Hewitt, the Aussie star is still feeling the effects of coming second best.

For the first time in his career, Nick Kyrgios can say he is a Grand Slam singles finalist. Having reached the final at this year's Wimbledon, the Australian earned his career-best result at a major.

Having already secured this season's Australian Open in doubles, the man from Down Under was hoping to triumph on SW19's Centre Court in the singles tournament.

Kyrgios' success at the All England Club goes well beyond this year's Championship. He was, of course, the author of that memorable upset against a certain Rafael Nadal when he was still fresh on the tour.

However, bidding to become his country's first men's singles Grand Slam champion since Lleyton Hewitt some 20 years ago on that same Centre Court, a win was not written in the stars for Kyrgios.

Losing in four sets, the Australian put up a valiant fight, much to the crowd's delight. However, losing on such a significant stage in world tennis is always bound to have long-lasting impacts.

And according to Hewitt, that is just what Kyrgios is going through now, with him still rueing his chance at glory.

"Deep down, he’s still pretty disappointed to come so close but not win. But as I told him, he should be extremely proud of the performances over the last two weeks and throughout the whole grass-court season."

"Everyone knows the kind of firepower and game style that he has and what he’s capable of doing. He just has to go out there and keep believing in himself."

The Australian is currently back at his base in the Bahamas where he'll rest up a bit before the season moves to North America. He will need to make a return to Australia next month for a court hearing in Canberra due to allegations brought forward by ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari.