Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Tennis Club, London, England – July 10, 2022 Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts in the men’s singles final against Novak Djokovic REUTERS / Toby Melville of Serbia
SYDNEY – Australian media marked instead of commemorating Nick Kyrgios’ run to the Wimbledon final on Monday, mixing praise for his play with condemnation of his outspoken actions towards officials. officials, his fans, and his entourage.
Kyrgios was praised for his tennis excellence in the opening set but was plagued by his erratic behavior as Novak Djokovic completed a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 win. (3) to win his 21st major title.
It’s a familiar autopsy and more evidence that the basketball-crazed boy from Canberra remains an uncomfortable mystery to his compatriots.
Robert Craddock wrote for News Corp: “Kyrgios bows in a typical Kyrgios fashion, mixing perfection with sloppiness, crowding around and complaining to his box for its apparent lack of support. evident in a flurry of gratuitous, insensitive disparagement,” wrote Robert Craddock for News Corp.
“It is not beautiful. It’s pretty ugly at times.”
As Adam Peacock wrote on sports website The Code, the three hours Kyrgios spent with Center Court in his first Grand Slam final spawned “an extra million by amateur psychology”.
Greg Baum in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper suggested that whatever the reason for Kyrgios’ misconduct, Australia would continue to monitor.
“Will Kyrgios ever win a major?” he wrote. “All-round talent says he can. We will follow up. You must see. He’s so attractive. But it’s hard to care as much as we did, like Ash Barty.
“If he was going to play tennis, he could have done it well too. First, though, he’ll have to stop pointing fingers at other people.”
Kyrgios in his post-match press conference talked about the pressure he feels, his pride in facing Djokovic in parts of the match, but added that if he beats the Serbian, , he may not have the motivation to continue the journey of the tournament.
“Going back to other tournaments, like (ATP) 250s and a lot of things, I’m going to have a really hard time,” he said.
“Even so, I feel like I belong. I feel like my game, my level is always there. I feel like I’ve put it together a little bit this week, this few weeks.”
Heading into the upcoming decisive game in North America, the 27-year-old is likely to have his next chance to match his game.
With no ranking points provided at Wimbledon because of the bans on Russian and Belarusian players, Kyrgios will still be number 40 in the world or will be in 40th when he plays next time around.
More seriously, he is due to appear in court in Canberra next month accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Whatever the immediate future, Craddock was, at least, certain of one thing.
“The message for Kyrgios is clear,” he wrote. “The only man he really has to conquer is himself.”
BUT RELATED STORY
Get the hottest sports news straight to your inbox
Continue reading
Register INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share articles on media society. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints or enquiries, Contact us.
