Nick Kyrgios shared his intentions to leave the ATP and join a Saudi Arabia-backed tour if such an organisation were to launch in the future.
Kyrgios' comments come against the backdrop of increasing Saudi investment in global tennis. In 2023, the nation hosted the NextGen ATP Finals, which took place in the city of Jeddah, while Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are scheduled to play an exhibition match in the Kingdom Arena on December 27.
When reflecting on the rise of Saudi-Arabian influence in elite-level sport, which has seen the country's Public Investment Fund also integrate golf and football, Kyrgios appeared to support the initiative.
In an interview with the Athletic, the Australian player even said he would not hesitate to join a Saudi-backed tennis competition.
"I would have been the first one to jump off. I would have gone. I would have just let the ATP ship sink."
Kyrgios' recent controversial comments come after the 28-year-old endured a tough 2023 season full of injuries and little playing time. It was a complete contrast to the Australian's 2022 campaign when he reached the Wimbledon final and finished the season 22nd in the ATP rankings.
However, Kyrgios appeared to be content with sitting out most of the 2023 season and stated that he does not have the resilience to compete full-time for three years.
"I played a full year last year, no injuries; had great results, had a great year. I barely played this year, two surgeries, and now still, I would probably say they’re both equally as fine, which is crazy,”
"Most tennis players would be like, ‘This was just depressing’. People would be struggling, they would be like, ‘What do I do? Who’s my identity?’. This year, it’s been equally as enjoyable as last year. That’s just my personality and how different it is. That’s the crazy thing.
“I just don’t think I could do three seasons like that in a row. I wouldn’t be able to play anymore. I was spent after I got home after the US Open, I was cooked. I was so mentally fried. I was just so tired. Physically, I felt fine but just mentally, I was over it. So maybe this year is a counterbalance.”
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