Nick Kyrgios declared: “I almost don’t know who I am anymore, to be honest.” Such is his increased professionalism and focus in the months since his run to a maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios said he was lucky to ‘survive’ a second-round test against France’s Benjamin Bonzi in a tough, dramatic 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win at the US Open.
“I was really fortunate to get through in four sets … It was one of those matches where you just kind of survive,” he said.
In his post-match press conference, Kyrgios revealed he is currently putting himself under ‘the most pressure’ of his career, knowing now that he is capable of competing for a Grand Slam.
RECAP: Kyrgios wins US Open ‘rollercoaster’ as great reveals ‘theory’ on blow-ups
‘F***ING MARIJUANA’: Kyrgios fumes at ridiculous fan act
“This year has been amazing in so many different ways,” he said.
“For my tennis, I wanted to almost reinvent myself and get back to the top of the game where I know I belong.
“The Wimbledon final was a turning point, I think, mentally for me. If I won that match I don’t know where my motivation would have been.
“Losing it, and being so close, it was really tough for me to kind of swallow that. Winning Washington, winning so many matches. I just feel like I thought the pressure would be off me after (almost) winning Wimbledon. Wow, like: ‘He’s a Wimbledon finalist. He’s nearly over the hump,’ type thing.
“But for me personally, I didn’t think I’d be putting this amount of pressure on myself. Every day I come in, I watch what I eat, I try and get sleep, every practice session I’m trying to have good intent.
“I almost don’t know who I am anymore, to be honest. Because that’s not me.”
The Australian continued: “I’m just trying to balance so many different things out, it’s hard. The media, the fans are crazy everywhere I go, I’m trying to balance my personal life as well as my tennis. It’s a lot.
“I never thought I’d be … I feel like I’m really professional right now. I never thought that the Wimbledon final would make me that way. I thought it’d be the other way, the reverse – almost like a bit lax, a bit chill with it.
“It’s stressful.”
SERENA: World No. 2 gone as Aussie stands in way of ‘once in a lifetime’ run
Kyrgios conceded that he can be a perfectionist on the court, adding he probably needs ‘to be a bit nicer’ to himself.
“It’s just so stressful now because every match I play I’m kind of expecting to play so good, (and) such a clean performance is kinda not realistic in a sport like this where you’re just playing day in, day out, travelling,” he said.
“I’ve probably got to lower the expectation of expecting to play like a Wimbledon final every time … I’ve got to be a bit nicer to myself, I think, and just lower the expectations a little bit.”
“I feel like in this time of my career I just don’t want to let people down. I feel like I’m representing so many people. I know how much work goes into it, with my team. There’s a lot of people supporting me.
“I just remember doing a press conference here maybe three-four years ago. I lost in the third round and I just felt horrible. I kept not exceeding expectations and winning.
“So I’m sitting here, and I feel like this is probably the most pressure I’ve had on myself. I know that I’m capable of going to a Slam final now. I really want to achieve and I want to bring my team with me. I want to do it together.
“I’m definitely a perfectionist on the court. I feel like I can play four or five great points then I play one (bad) point and I’m going nuts. It’s like: ‘It’s okay!’ I don’t know, it’s hard.”
Kyrgios next faces American J.J. Wolf, offering plenty of praise to the 23-year-old in his post-match press conference.
“I’m expecting an incredibly hard match, I know that it’s not going to be easy at all,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m excited, a young gun. I love playing these young guys,” he added.
“I never thought” – he broke into laughter as he said – “I’ve been on tour for ten years and I’m calling people young!”
