"Kyrgios is the most surprising and encouraging to watch" - says Wilander

Friday, 13 January 2023 at 05:00

Updated at Thursday, 12 January 2023 at 21:55

byTom Grant

Mats Wilander believes tennis as a sport is making Nick Kyrgios a happier person, branding his journey from troublemaker to title contender a "Cinderella story."

The seven-time Grand Slam champion was speaking to website Clay Tenis ahead of a much-anticipated Australian Open - an event the Swede knows much about having won the event on three occasions.

Home boy Kyrgios enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence in 2022, reaching his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and taking home the Aussie Open doubles title with best mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The Canberran also won his seventh ATP Title in Washington during his 61-match win season.

The World No.21 remains one of the biggest draws on the men's tour and Wilander insists he can see similarities between Kyrgios and another hot-headed guy with unrivalled talent with a racket.

He told Clay Tenis:

"He (Kyrgios) is the most surprising and the most encouraging for me to watch. I don’t know if he will win a grand slam, he might. You know what? He could win a grand slam and he has sort of decided that he is going to give himself a shot to reach his potential. To me it’s just encouraging that our game is helping athletes and people on a path that becomes healthier along the way.

— Mats Wilander

"To have John McEnroe as the announcer on the celebration of the 100 years of Wimbledon’s Centre Court when he wasn’t allowed to become a member after he wins the first time, just shows that tennis helped John on a path where he is now reviewed as one of the most interesting, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and valuable person in professional tennis.

— Mats Wilander

"And I believe the game is taking Nick in a similar path and as a result he is going to be probably a happier person. He is gonna be more encouraged by his own improvements to work harder, be more disciplined, whatever. So for me it’s a Cinderella story that I was hoping is going to happen and it’s happening."

— Mats Wilander

Kyrgios will play Russian World No. 99 Roman Safiullin in the first round in Melbourne and could be on a collision course for a mouth-watering quarter-final against old foe now friend Novak Djokovic - who is aiming for his tenth major in Australia.