By Bill Simons
Writer Alyson Rudd noted that when rising Aussie Nick Kyrgios faced the media, he “was all moody and misunderstood…His eyes glinting in distaste that his behavior was being analyzed…[After all, he] was able [at Wimbledon] to turn the removal of a pair of socks into a one-man show worthy of a theatre specializing in Bertolt Brecht. His behavior screamed, ‘I’m bored!’ It was like peeking through the window at toddler quiet time at the local kindergarten. There is always one child who does not want to conform, who spies the pots of paint and a teacher’s coat that could use some livening up.”
Kyrgios barks at fans who hate him and fans who love him. He snaps at the media, he mutters “dirty scum” and shamelessly tanks. The talented manchild is rude, knows few boundaries and feels entitled. He taunted Stan Wawrinka mid-match, saying that Thanasi Kokkinakis had sex with Stan’s girlfriend. His home high school suspended him from their hall of fame because they felt he was “not a particularly good role model.” The ATP nearly suspended him for 28 days, and Olympic legend Dawn Fraser claimed her fellow Aussies Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic were a disgrace to Australia and should go “back to where…their parents come from.” Kyrgios’ Malyasian mom dismissed the wretched taunt as racist and said he “might appear cocky, but it’s mostly a front. He has got to shield his inner self because it is very pressured out there…Most of the time he is just trying to be cheeky…He can growl like a lion.”
In the end, writer Nick Lester noted a core truth, saying, “Love him or hate him, this kid will get people watching the game for years.”
