Kyrgios Told To Find Motivation In Absence Of Legends Because 'No One Wants To Play Him'
ATP
Nick Kyrgios is one of the best players on the ATP Tour when fully healthy and motivated, but he's still yet to win a Grand Slam.
The Australian got very close to winning his first major at the 2022 Wimbledon, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final. His chance came many years after he played many spectacular battles against the likes of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Even recently, Kyrgios said that he wished he didn't have to deal with these legendary players, and with the permanent, or in some cases temporary, absence of these players from the Tour, the Australian should feel his chance.
At least according to the legendary coach Rick Macci, who spoke exclusively to Tennis Infinity. The American coach said that in the absence of the likes of Federer, Nadal, and Murray, Kyrgios just has to feel that "there's an opening."
"The one thing that should motivate Nick Kyrgios more than anything. There's no Federer, there's no Nadal, and there's no Murray, and those three amigos were hanging around when he was trying to bust through, even though I know he has great respect for the young players. But at the end of the day, has to feel there's an opening."
According to Macci, it's not a surprised that the Australian does so well at Wimbledon, given that the very fast grass-court surfaces eliminates almost all of his weaknesses, and at the same time, it emphasizes all of his strengths.
"But when you go to Wimbledon, it suits his game. Quicker points, less mental stuff to deal with, and he has the big serve, and he returns well. Wimbledon, he could have grabbed a few by now; there's no doubt about it. And no one wants to play Nick Kyrgios. No one."
Still, the 68-year-old adds, it's all about the player. The only thing that matters is whether Kyrgios wants to win, and if he does, he's certainly capable of doing so.
"Now, that being said, it's really up to him. I don't know about the fitness. I don't know how he's training. I don't know how bad he wants to be great or does he want to just play."
