By Molly McElwee
Nick Kyrgios may be a long-time critic of the French Open, but the “City of Love” has finally turned his head after a six-year absence.
The Canberran has confirmed he will play in next year’s French Open — in his first appearance since 2017 — because girlfriend Costeen Hatzi is keen to visit Paris.
“Yes, I’m playing the French Open, my girlfriend wants to see Paris, so why not?” Kyrgios said in Riyadh. “It will be good for me to earn some more money, although I would have preferred to stay at home.”
Kyrgios, 27, once publicly ranked Roland Garros as the “worst” grand slam event, and has never progressed beyond the third round. He has not played a European clay event since 2019 due to his scheduling and surface preferences. Though his girlfriend of one year Hatzi, 22, has changed his mind on Paris, it is unlikely he will play much more on clay during the season.
“I’ve played well on clay, I’ve beaten [Roger] Federer, [Stan] Wawrinka, I’ve played a final on clay [at Estoril in 2015] but usually at that time of year, I like spending time at home. Because if I don’t, then I’m travelling for eight months a year, it’s too much.
“There’s too many events on clay, I’ve said this over and over again. There are players in the top 100 who I don’t even know their faces or their names, and they’ve only played on clay, it’s crazy… My girl wants to get to know the city so I will have to go this year.”
Nick Kyrgios and girlfriend Costeen Hatzi at Wimbledon in July.Credit:Getty
On Monday, he posted on Twitter about the ranking system being “based on consistency and how much you play” rather than “skill and form”.
He played 13 events this season, reaching two finals, three semi-finals and four quarter-finals, pushing his ranking to 22nd. In recent years, he has complained about the packed calendar on the tour and opted out of competing at top events to prioritise time at home. Despite that, last week Kyrgios picked up a hefty appearance fee for playing in the Diriyah Tennis Cup exhibition event in Saudi Arabia.
British No.1 Cameron Norrie was also in attendance, and he beat both Kyrgios and world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios chose to travel to Saudi Arabia during the brief traditional off-season, over playing for Australia at the Davis Cup last month when they were beaten to the title by Canada, and admitted he did so partly for the money on offer.
“At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me,” he said. “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.”
Telegraph, London
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