A philosophical Nick Kyrgios said Saturday he had been a “chaotic mess” throughout his career and now just wants to enjoy himself when he returns to the tour this week.
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The temperamental 2022 Wimbledon finalist, one of tennis’s most dynamic players when at the top of his game, makes his comeback at the season-opening Brisbane International on Sunday at 12pm AEDT against Aleksandar Kovacevic.
The 30-year-old Australian has slipped to 671 in the world after an injury-ravaged three years which saw him play only six singles matches on the ATP Tour.
Speaking ahead of his opening-round match, Kyrgios said he was feeling fit and had been playing as well as ever in the build-up.
“I think after every injury I have had the last couple of years, and to see how quickly something can be snatched away from you, I have a day-by-day mindset,” the former world number 13 said.
“I don’t know if I’m a player that needs to prove himself any more than he has. I just want to get through this and be happy with my performance.
“Ultimately I just want to go out there and put on a show for the crowd and for the fans and the people, to be honest.
“I have no agenda and I don’t care what my ranking is, don’t care what titles I win. I just want to go out there and give the people a good show.
“That’s ultimately I guess what I’ll go down as, as an entertainer and someone who just was a bit of a chaotic mess, but an entertainer at the end of the day.”
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Kyrgios, who was granted a wildcard to play in Brisbane, begins his tour comeback against US world number 60 Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Although he has featured only very sporadically on the ATP Tour in recent years, Kyrgios beat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka last week in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match in Dubai.
Kyrgios could yet be offered a wildcard to play singles at the Australian Open this month.
But former British No.1 Greg Rusedski claimed Kyrgios is no longer worthy of playing in a grand slam arena, telling the Off-Court podcast the Australian “doesn’t look in the right shape to play”.
“And you’ve got to think of all those young Australian up-and-coming players to give them the opportunity to play,” Rusedski added.
“He is box office (talent). He brings people into stadiums, which is the positive, but I think in Australia, he’s going to have to show some form.”
To that, Kyrgios wasn’t paying too much attention.
“I’m pretty sure Greg got done for performance enhancing drugs one time in his career, so I wouldn’t take too much advice from someone like that,” he told 9News.
“Remind me when the last time he sold out one of his matches.”
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