Nick Kyrgios labelled ‘overrated’ and a ‘clown’ in brutal criticism by Russian tennis greats

Ewan West
Nick Kyrgios in action for Australia
Nick Kyrgios reacts at the ATP Cup

Nick Kyrgios has been brutally described as “overrated” and a “clown” by Russian tennis greats Nikolay Davydenko and Elena Vesnina. 

The former Wimbledon finalist has been sidelined through injury for almost all of the last two years and played his only competitive match since 2022 in June of last year.

Following an excellent 2022 season, Kyrgios underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and later sustained a career-threatening wrist injury that derailed his intended comeback during the 2023 grass-court season.

Speaking on a panel at the South by Southwest conference in Sydney, Kyrgios confirmed he will compete at the 2025 Australian Open.

“I will be playing the Australian Open this summer,” the 29-year-old said.

“I just miss being out there playing in front of a home crowd. We’ve got such a crowd of guys at the moment like Alex de Minaur playing amazing tennis.

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“The [wrist] injury I had was brutal. The surgeon said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again. But I said whatever, just try and get me another two to three years of my career.

“It’s been a brutal last couple of years, but just being out there to play in front of a home crowd… I just want to be out there, lighting up the crowd and playing in front of my own country.

“Whether it is good or bad, it will certainly be a lot of fun, for sure. I am looking forward to it. My only motivation to come back and play is to try and win a Grand Slam, and I’ll give it one more shot.”

In a conversation with Russian outlet BetBoom Tennis, Davydenko — a former ATP world No 3 — gave a damning verdict on Kyrgios ahead of his comeback.

“He is generally overrated… When it was time to play, he was always injured. In short, let’s forget about him,” said the winner of 21 ATP tournaments.

Vesnina — a former doubles world No 1 who returned to the tour this year — agreed with Davydenko, while highlighting Kyrgios’ talent.

“Clown, I agree. But he was incredibly talented and gifted,” assessed the four-time Grand Slam doubles champion.

“He had a powerful serve and a superb forehand. But when it came to winning a major title, all that went up in smoke.”

On a recent episode of the News Corp Code Sports podcast, Kyrgios asserted he is determined to “shut people up” by winning a major.

“I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game,” the former world No 13 explained.

“I have beaten pretty much every person that has been put in front of me, made a final of a Grand Slam, won a doubles title in a Grand Slam, won multiple titles and made money.

“But I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. I think that will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day. That will be my deep motivation.”

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