He’s 6’ 4” and his body is a canvas of inked stories.
He’s notorious for smashing racquets and having a short temper.
His profile picture on X? A demonstrative pose with his middle finger in the air.
This is Nick Kyrgios.
"Cry baby cry, you are so stupid"
Criticism shadows Nick Kyrgios everywhere he goes. The whispers. The shouts. “You are a f*cking clown.”
Whether it’s his signature underhand serve that leaves his opponents flustered or his candid tongue. A constant buzz surrounds him. “go train, donkey! that maybe you get past the 1st round…”
Scroll through his timeline and look at the responses to his posts. It’s a barrage of presumptuous negative noise. And this is because Kyrgios made a rare choice. He’s chosen authenticity over approval. Honesty over diplomacy.
"Glad your game is shot. You deserve to be where you are.”
Talent is a double-edged sword. Kyrgios has been described as the most gifted tennis player, ever. He has a serve that is borderline legal assault. A whippy forehand that paints lines. And a pillow-soft touch at the net that defies conventional wisdom. When he plays, fans show up. Simply put, Kyrgios is box office.
For all his on-court talent, Kyrgios has never held a Grand Slam trophy. And this might be the ultimate price he pays for being talented, authentic, and what his critics perceive as an underutilization of his on-court talents. Kyrgios has always done things his way—no coach and choosing to speak openly about anything that’s on his tongue.
But are we missing the point? His approach to tennis feels like he’s on a playground. That’s the beauty of his talent and refusal to conform. And at times it feels like he’s rewritten the rules in a sport that’s steeped in tradition. His legacy could be a reminder that success doesn’t always come from following the well-worn path. But rather carving your own.
Nature & Nurture
The 1 question that remains in my head—is this “villain avatar” he’s owned a response to pressure, expectations, and criticism? Maybe it’s an interplay of genetics, experiences, emotions, and circumstances that manifest on the court? I do hope he pens a tell all book with a comprehensive account of all his on and off court experiences.
The goal of this article was to unpack his career without judgment.
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