Nick Kyrgios calls himself ‘unique’ and compares himself with Roger Federer while explaining changes he brought to tennis

Former World No. 13 Nick Kyrgios explained why he thinks players like him with a personality are important for tennis.


Nick Kyrgios calls himself ‘unique’ and compares himself with Roger Federer while explaining changes he brought to tennis

Nick Kyrgios, Roger Federer (Images via X)

Nick Kyrgios will be making his return to the Australian Open following a long injury layoff. He will play a Major event for the first time since the 2022 US Open. Ahead of his first-round match, Kyrgios explained why he thinks he is very important for tennis and talked about the similarity between him and Roger Federer.

Kyrgios has built a reputation as one of the bad boys of tennis. But he thinks being a different player than the ‘clean-cut’ ones who are ‘without personality’ is needed in tennis.

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I am important to this sport because I am totally different from other tennis players. My style of play is unique. I don’t have a coach and I attract new fans.

Nick Kyrgios said during an interview with L’EQuipe

The seven-time ATP singles title winner claimed that he has brought another version of tennis and fans from all over the world want to see him play.

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I have totally changed that. I have brought a bit of the “vibe” of basketball. I have collaborated with athletes from other sports, which had never been done except with Federer.

Nick Kyrgios added

The former World No.13 played his first match after making his comeback at the Brisbane International, his first tournament since the 2023 Stuttgart Open. He suffered from wrist pain during his first-round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard which he lost.

While in doubles, he and Novak Djokovic got knocked out after defeat in the second round to Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.

Nick Kyrgios claims tennis was becoming mundane without him

In the pre-tournament press conference, Nick Kyrgios talked about the importance of having different personalities in tennis. Now that he has returned, he is expecting some controversies which, as per him, would make tennis interesting.

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Nick Kyrgios (Image via X)

I think it’s good to be back. I think it’s important. I think the sport was getting a bit mundane.

Nick Kyrgios said

Off the court as well, Kyrgios has been making headlines due to controversial comments. He has been making bitter remarks about Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek on social media because of the doping scandal.

In the ongoing tournament, the 29-year-old will lock horns with British No.3 Jacob Fearnley on Monday (January 13) in the first round, which will be their first encounter on the tour.

Kyrgios, who has won the Australian Open in doubles in 2022, has paired up compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis and they will be facing Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth in the first round.