Nick Kyrgios claims he was “favorite” to win 2022 US Open, labels loss against Karen Khachanov the most hurtful
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Nick Kyrgios and Karen Khachanov
Grand Slam finalist Nick Kyrgios recently reflected on his US Open quarterfinal defeat to Russia’s Karen Khachanov, saying the match hurt him a lot as he believed he was the favorite to win the title after beating Daniil Medvedev.
“I thought the US Open was a great chance – obviously, that one really, really hurt because I definitely thought that I was the favourite after I beat [Daniil] Medvedev,” he said.
Kyrgios made the statements while speaking to reporters in Tokyo, where he is due to compete in both singles and doubles after taking a few weeks off. The Australian did not compete at the recently concluded Laver Cup for the first time in the history of the competition.
Over the years, Kyrgios had tried his best to help Team World turn the tables and beat a star-studded Team Europe side in the new format but had agonizingly come short. This year, however, Team World won the tournament for the first time thanks to some inspiring performances from the likes of Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger Aliassime.
Rod Laver thinks Nick Kyrgios could have won 2022 Wimbledon as well
Tennis great Rod Laver recently concurred that Kyrgios could not win the 2022 Wimbledon title despite reaching the final because deep down the young Australian star did not believe in his own abilities.
Kyrgios trumped odds to reach the final at this year’s Wimbledon, where he fell short to 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic despite putting up a decent fight, at least in the beginning stages of the match.
“Kyrgios has all the ability in the world, every shot that you could wish to make,” Laver told The Telegraph. “He’s probably one of the biggest servers in the game. He’s accurate, he can play under pressure.”
Laver also suggested that Kyrgios would fare better at Wimbledon from now on as he had now learnt an important lesson.
“It hit home for him, I think. He realised, “S***, I am good enough, I can do this. Next year? Wimbledon? You’re going to see a different player,” said the twice Golden Slam winner.
“I was thrilled that he reached the final, but he didn’t think he could win Wimbledon. In my mind, I said, Hey, put in your best performance. You may surprise yourself. A month or two later, I said, You can win some of these matches. Why don’t you apply yourself, man?” Laver added.
A lot of players and fans have suggested that Kyrgios could be a much better player and achieve much more in the sport of tennis if he controls his emotions. However, Kyrgios has often fired at that advice, saying they didn’t know who he was and where he came from.
Recently, during an Instagram Q&A, Kyrgios shot back at a tennis fan who had told him to check his head, saying, “I don’t think you’d win a point off me and tbh I think concentrating on your life is a better idea.”
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Ashish Maggo
(191 Articles Published)