On a match point in Madrid, Bernie “the Tank Engine” Tomic reversed his racket and didn’t move a muscle. So what, said Tomic, “Would you care if you were worth over $10 million and 23?” Later he made lewd comments to a US Open fan.
But Tomic’s ‘tude is mild compared with his fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who the New Yorker said was “a walking existential crisis.” The Aussie is often a joy to watch. His athleticism astounds. “He is the only player on tour,” said Paul Annacone, who can “take the racket out of your hand on both the serve and the return.” He’s young, complex and volatile. And he’s adrift. But, while he has a persecution complex, he hasn’t had a coach for a couple of years. He skipped out on the Olympics and the Davis Cup. His compass needs repair. He has time. He’s 21.
He tanks points and smashes rackets so intensely they bounce into the stands. He’s unkind to umps and bristles at “stupid questions.” He acts “all moody and misunderstood.” He referred to one foe as “dirty scum,” and told Stan Wawrinka that a fellow Aussie had sex with his girlfriend. When an ump imposed a code violation on him, Kyrgios said he would never have done that to Nadal and claimed that tennis was “biased as s–t…It’s ruined. Absolutely ruined.”
In Paris he barked at a ball boy and was given a code violation. Kyrgios responded, “Now I have seen everything,” and insisted he was the victim of “f—ing bias.” An indifferent effort at Wimbledon drew criticism. Kyrgios admitted that he was “just a little soft.” In Shanghai he hit a serve pitty-pat style and was suspended. He said he wasn’t excited about being No. 1. He had other things in mind. None other than John McEnroe said that someone should really ask the Aussie what’s up. So we did.
INSIDE TENNIS: Do you think you’re applying all you have in your gut and heart to becoming the best pro you can?
NICK KYRGIOS: No.
IT: Is that something you want to address or change?
NK: I don’t know.
IT: Do you enjoy the sport? Is it something that you really love, or do you find it more frustrating than enjoyable?
NK: I don’t love the sport. But, I don’t really know what else to do…I obviously like playing…It’s a massive part of my life. But, I don’t really know.
IT: A number of great players – McEnroe, Tsonga and even Federer – briefly didn’t have coaches. Is there something you like about the freedom of that, of trying to figure it out yourself?
NK: Yeah, I like that.
IT: What do you like –
NK: Just doing whatever you want.
