Nick Kyrgios is ‘getting closer’ to realising his huge amount of talent, says WTA legend Chris Evert.
Kyrgios is one of the most box-office stars in tennis, with his flamboyance and raw talent really resonating with the modern crowds.
That said, he is also one of the most controversial. No player in ATP history has been fined more than him, with arguments with officials and fans becoming commonplace in his matches.
This year has seen a change in his demeanour, though. He confronted his mental health struggles during the Covid pandemic and appears to have emerged with a much greater focus on his tennis.
He entertained at the Australian Open, losing to eventual finalist Daniil Medvedev before going onto to win a doubles title.
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Kyrgios then skipped European clay season before returning to play grass events, and he again impressed as he reached the semi-finals in both Stuttgart and Halle.
It has all led Evert to wonder if he are finally close to seeing the Nick Kyrgios we always knew he could become.
“I feel like since the Australian Open, where he won the doubles title and where he had that match with Medvedev, it clicked because lately when I see him play it seems more engaged in his game,” Evert told Reuters.
“Yes, we still see the occasional argument with the referee, but that doesn’t happen as much anymore. He looks healthier and seems more confident now.
“When everyone was saying ‘he’s lazy’ and criticizing Nick, I always said he would get there when he wanted to, and it seems like that time is getting closer.”
Nick Kyrgios is unseeded for Wimbledon although many experts have tipped him to go deep in the tournament. He is in the same half of the draw as Rafael Nadal and Matteo Berretini, though, so it will certainly provide a serious test of his temperament and talent.
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