Nick Kyrgios news: ‘I don’t want to be like Roger Federer. I’m comfortable in my own skin,’ says Aussie maverick

Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios does an on-court interview

Nick Kyrgios has once again hit back at his critics, saying “I don’t care how I’m perceived because the people around me know I’m a caring person” adding that he wants to be remembered as “someone who did it their own way”.

The Australian has not always been everyone’s cup of tea as he has often been “emotional and theatrical on the court” while he has never been afraid to make controversial comments about his fellow professionals.

Kyrgios though has won the public over with his off-court kindness in recent years as he was at the forefront when it came to raising funds for those affected by the Australian bushfires in 2020.

His NK Foundation has also assisted a lot of families during the coronavirus pandemic.

In an open interview with ABC’s 7.30, the 26-year-old insisted that “I have always been myself”.

“To be honest, I look at myself in the mirror every day and I know I’m comfortable in my own skin,” he said.

“It took a long time to look myself in the mirror and thought, ‘I don’t really care if I win a Grand Slam. I don’t want to be like Roger Federer.’

“I don’t care how I’m perceived because the people around me know I’m a caring person. I’m always myself. I’m confident and I try and help people.

“I’ve always been myself. I’ve always been like this since I was a young kid. I have always been emotional and theatrical at times on the court. I’m comfortable in my own skin.”

Although he is still to reach the latter stages of a Grand Slam in the singles, Kyrgios can call himself a Grand Slam doubles champion after teaming up with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the Australian Open men’s doubles a fortnight ago.

His success will no doubt inspire some young children.

And while most kids often look up to the likes of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the Australian insists he wants them to know that they can do it their own way, just like he did.

“I want to be remembered as more than just someone who played [tennis],” Kyrgios said.

“I want to be remembered as an icon — someone who just went out there and did it their own way.

“You have got Nadals and Djokovic and Federers, I want kids to be like, ‘If that guy can do it then maybe we can do it as well.”

Nick Kyrgios

Latest