2015 Rising Stars: Nick Kyrgios

2015 Player Preview: Nick Kyrgios

When a youngster breaks through on the big stage it is always thrilling to watch. When that player possesses an explosive game mixed with a confident swagger and goes on to send Rafael Nadal crashing out of Wimbledon, you realise that you are watching the emergence of a star. Nick Kyrgios was catapulted onto the tennis scene in the summer of 2014 and looks to have the potential to make serious waves in the men’s game.

Saying that Wimbledon was the highlight of his 2014 is an understatement.

Kyrgios was ranked all the way down at 144 in the world heading into Wimbledon and despite murmurings of his potential filtering from some in the tennis community, he was still very much unpolished and unproven. His fourth round encounter with Rafael Nadal on the green grass of London changed his life forever, as a stunning 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory made fans stand up and take notice.

He carried himself in a way that was magnetic to watch. It resembled the personality Jo Wilfried Tsonga brought to the court when he emerged at the Australian Open in 2008, where the Frenchman would win points with audacious volleys and then nod to himself as if that is what he expected.

If Kyrgios can carry this belief with him on tour then he will be a dangerous prospect. At 6 foot 4, his serve is his major weapon, with his placement against Nadal one of the enduring features of a display where he also showed his affinity for the big occasion. His is a big time players and that brings with it both positives and negatives.

For Kyrgios there will be plenty more matches where he will have to grind out matches on an empty outside court before has has a permanent place in the big time. Break down Kyrgios’ year and it wasn’t an obvious success. Saying that Wimbledon was the highlight of his 2014 is an understatement. Similar to Gael Monfils, Kyrgios must learn that a first round match on Centre Court at Wimbledon is just as important as playing on Court 17.

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The enigmatic Aussie had a bad time of it at most of the other tournaments at ATP level that he participated in. Outside of the Grand Slams he only participated in one other ATP tour event, which was the Canada Masters. He also cut his season short after claims of being ‘burnt out’ after a draining season.

Kyrgios is by no means the finished article. He won’t be 20 until April this year and time is certainly on his side. He is heading in the right direction, both on the court and off it, importantly. His appearance at the International Premier Tennis League will have raised his global profile and he will come into the Australian Open with many home fans knowing what he is capable of for the first time.

I think the big thing for Kyrgios is how he deals with the weight of expectation. He has a game for the Top 10, of that there is no doubt. However, he is in a position where every man and their dog have had a say on how he should manage his career and what they think he is capable of achieving.

Add in the rich history Australia have in men’s tennis and in sport as a whole and the young man has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He may seem brash and cocky, but you can be sure he is acutely aware of the buzz that he has created. I can’t wait to see what he achieves in his first full season on the main tour and I think he will be a bright light of tennis for many years to come.

Ranking Prediction: 22nd

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