Nick Kyrgios is appreciated by some and hated by others, and his detractors have left a mark on the Australian, who has been quite open about his struggles.
Kyrgios, in many ways, is a very unique person in tennis in that he clearly speaks his mind. Tennis is a sport in which some things are often not said out loud. Some players do but the majority don’t, especially not when it’s about controversial topics.
It’s very much a sport that likes to keep its image clean. Kyrgios brought a sledgehammer to that unspoken rule and overall approach by simply continuing to do his own thing, which, for the most part, is speaking his mind on all things.
That has led to him becoming one of the most polarizing players in tennis history. Some love that side of him, others don’t really like it, but it’s just what happens. No matter what his personality was, he was never going to please everybody because it’s impossible.
What it did do was cause him to speak openly about many things. He has been quite open about how negative publicity does affect him, and he confirmed it once more during a Q and A session he held ahead of what will be an exhibition match in Mexico City.
"It's extremely tough at times, really exhausting and hurtful. But I am understanding more and more how to deal with it."
Kyrgios has been quite firm with the media in the past, notably telling the media off about some of the coverage he has received. One of those responses came on Instagram.
"Played 13 events, finished number 1 in Australia for singles and doubles, MEDIA AIN’T GONNA WRITE BOUT THAT. 2023 energy going to be dark."