Nick Kyrgios is a much-maligned tennis figure who is often harshly criticized by the media, according to compatriot Dane Sweeny.
Sweeny is a 23-year-old Australian who features predominantly on the ATP Challenger and recently broke the world's Top 200 after a runner-up finish at the Burnie 2 Challenger on home soil this past weekend.
Sweeny and Kyrgios have never crossed paths on the ATP Tour, and while the younger Aussie doesn't know the former Wimbledon finalist at a personal level, he is fully familiar with his talents.
The 28-year-old Canberra native is the only man who has beaten each member of the Big 3 in their first head-to-head meeting. Very recently, he was recognized by French coach Patrick Mouratoglou for being the second-best server in tennis history.
Kyrgios' tennis skills are exceptional, but he is considered a controversial player off the court. He has never shied away from creating headlines with his tweets or thought-provoking statements on air. Kyrgios has also publicly called out some media publications.
Despite winning eight ATP titles, several tennis fans believe he hasn't fulfilled his potential. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, countryman Sweeny shared his thoughts about Kyrgios, calling him "one of the most talented" players.
"Yeah, definitely. I think he is probably the most talented or one of the most talented right now. I don't know him too much on a personal level, so really can't say too much."
Additionally, the World No. 194 believes the media shows bias towards Kyrgios as he believes he is a breath of fresh air for the sport. Kyrgios himself has gloated about his popularity. He is currently among the top five most followed active men's players on Instagram.
"I know the media likes to skew things. The judgment he gets from the media is never correct. So, I don't have too much to say about him, but he is so good for the sport."
"Not many people can bring that much attention to the sport, good or bad. At the end of the day, he is bringing attention to the sport, making it more renowned. So, that helps for sure, and I hope to see him back on court soon."
0 Comments