Nick Kyrgios - fresh and motivated into 2021
Nick Kyrgios played his last game on the ATP tour at the end of February. After this long break, the 25-year-old wants to attack again in 2021.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 25, 2021, 11:19 pm
Exactly a year ago it seemed that the highly talented Nick Kyrgios was finally reaching his full potential. At the ATP Cup, the Australian showed great performances for the most part and together with his team even made it to the semifinals of the new team competition. This was over against Spain, but at the Australian Open Kyrgios thrilled his compatriots again with some sensational tennis.
In particular, the third-round game against Karen Khachanov was hard to beat in terms of drama and quality, the local hero ultimately prevailed in one of the best matches of the past year in the tie-break of the fifth set. Kyrgios also knew how to please in the round of 16 against the then world number one Rafael Nadal, even if it ended up with a narrow four-set defeat.
Kyrgios as a warning during the Corona period
The foundation stone for a successful 2020 season was laid: But after giving up in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco, the corona virus thwarted Kyrgios: The 25-year-old should no longer be on the tour in 2020 to return. Instead, he enjoyed life in Canberra , the Australian told TENNIS.com .
"I gave my body a break, but now I'm back on the court and working hard to get fit for the Australian summer," said Kyrgios, who had been a warning over the past year - and from his position in dealing with the corona virus also not move away.
"I feel great and ready"
"I just want everyone to be protected from COVID. There are more important things in the world than tennis and I don't want the sport to take precedence over the health of others," said the 25-year-old. Kyrgios would love to play in front of fans, especially at the Australian Open, but at the same time he doesn't want to be inconsiderate. However, he is sure that Tennis Australia will take the right steps.
Kyrgios expects a "fresh" year 2021 for himself: "I feel great and ready." Maybe Kyrgios, who will celebrate his comeback at the ATP 250 tournament "Melbourne 2", will have to prove that at the Australian Open right at the beginning of the tournament. As number 47 in the world, the Australian is threatened with a very large caliber in the first round.