"We’re just nowhere near that level" - Kyrgios shows respect after opening loss
ATP
Nick Kyrgios admitted that the level of doubles at the 2022 ATP Finals might be just too high for him and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis played their first match at the final event of the season, and despite being quite close to a win, the more experienced doubles duo, Wesley Koolhof and Neil Skupski, eventually beat them in three sets.
The Australians took on the No. 1 team at the 2022 ATP Finals, and after winning the first set, they lost the second and also match tie-break in the third, losing the match 7-6(3), 4-6, 5-10. Even firing an incredible 15 aces in the first set didn't help them to win the match.
However, despite a loss, Kyrgios looked at the positives. The Australian player is usually confident in his abilities, but this time, he was quick to admit that their opponents played at an incredible level.
"I mean, they were just unbelievable players. They completely outplayed us. On a different level of tennis, I thought. We’re just nowhere near that level."
The 27-year-old Australian can reach the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings in doubles if he succeeds at the event with Kokkinakis. He also spoke about the conditions in Turin, which are quick and should suit the Special K's.
"Quick. Every time the ball hit the line, it was skidding through, coming quick. Yeah, I mean, the court was low-bouncing. I think we had every opportunity to win this match today. Me and Thanasi are probably the outliers of every other doubles players here."
Kyrgios also said that they are still primarily singles players, and also admitted that he didn't have an ideal preparation for the event.
"We like to prioritize singles and we know we’re the better tennis players at the end of the day. We don’t need to have weeks of, preparation honestly, for doubles. Honestly, my preparation wasn’t ideal. But I still fell all right today. We could have won today."
