Nick Kyrgios has confirmed he will return to the French Open for the first time since 2017 while also once again making his feelings known on clay-court events.
Speaking to reporters at the Diriyah Tennis Cup, Kyrgios said he would at last be making another appearance at Rolland-Garros, despite previously describing the French Open as the “worst Grand Slam”.
Although the Australian clarified that he would still rather stay at home, explaining he would be making the trip to Paris mainly for his girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi.
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“Yes, I’m playing the French Open, my girlfriend wants to see Paris, so why not?” Kyrgios said, per The Telegraph UK.
“Pick up some more money [in Paris].”
Clay is not Kyrgios’ preferred surface, although he ended a 1055-day winning drought on a clay court earlier this year when he defeated Mackenzie McDonald at ATP Houston.
Kyrgios said at the time that he would be going to the French Open because “my girlfriend just wants to see Paris”, something he clearly is sticking by given his comments this week.
The 27-year-old is confident he can still play well on clay, even if it is not his preferred surface, although he maintained there are too many clay-court events on the ATP calendar.
“There are too many clay-court tournaments on the calendar,” Kyrgios said this week.
“I see guys in the top 100 that I don’t even know, I wouldn’t recognise them if I crossed them on the street, and they’re there only because of the clay tournaments. I think it’s crazy.”
A candid Kyrgios opened up to AAPearlier this month about his decision to opt against representing Australia at the Davis Cup, instead competing at the Diriyah Tennis Cup exhibition event.
Kyrgios explained that it was difficult for him to commit to play in the Davis Cup in the future given everything “negative” that has been said about him and his family in the past.
“At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me,” Kyrgios added.
“I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures – you know I feel I put myself in that position – so it’s an easy one for me.
“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well.
“(That) doesn’t really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete.”
Kyrgios was knocked out in the first round of the Diriyah Tennis Cup, going down 10-6, 10-6 in two super tiebreaks to Cameron Norrie.
