Nick Kyrgios ‘plays the victim very well’ – former Wimbledon champion

Pat Cash believes Nick Kyrgios oversteps the mark a little too often when it comes to his outbursts on-court antics, adding that the Australian has the victim complex as he believes “everybody is after me”.
Kyrgios is not everyone’s cup of tea on the court as he often involved in spats with his opponents, officials, spectators and even members of his own players box.
However, he does have a fair few supporters off the court and does a lot of good through his charity.
Last year he was involved in an unsavoury clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round at Wimbledon and the Greek described him as “evil and a bully” during his post-match press conference, but the Australian described his rival as “soft”.
Cash was one of those who were quite outspoken about Kyrgios’ antics at the grass-court Grand Slam as felt his compatriot “brought tennis to the lowest level with his cheating, manipulation, abuse”.
Ten months later and Cash’s stance has softened a bit, but he still feels the 27-year-old takes things too far.
“I’ve said this quite a number of years ago, I said if Nick can just improve his mental capacity to be able to focus in matches just five per cent every year or three per cent every year then he’ll be a contender for Grand Slams. And that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s done really well in that respect,” the former world No 4 and 1987 Wimbledon winner said on the Control the Controllables.
“He realises that he’s never going to be perfect and he’s going to explode and lose his temper. I’m certainly someone who did that but not to the disrespect. Of course I yelled at my coach in frustration at some stage but if you ask Marcus how many times I did that, he’d be able to count on the same hand. But there wouldn’t be a set without him [Kyrgios] doing it a handful of times. I did it a handful of times in my whole career.
“I think John [McEnroe] certainly pushed the envelope more than probably he should have, more than should have been allowed. I have no doubt about it. He got away with a lot. And Nick as well, he plays the victim very well like ‘everybody is after me and nobody likes me.’ It’s not true at all. It’s just all in his head.”
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic ‘is 100% right’ for forming PTPA as ATP told they ‘need to grow some cojones’
Latest
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz reveals player who remains his idol as he names Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer as inspirations
Carlos Alcaraz has cited both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as inspirations, but one legend is still his idol.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic approach hailed in Serena Williams comparison by American great’s former coach
Novak Djokovic has been likened to his fellow tennis legend Serena Williams in his approach to the sport.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu finally confirms when she will make her comeback in 2024
The 21-year-old has not played a match since in April, but she will be back in action next month.
-
Tennis News
Entry list confirmed for Rafael Nadal’s comeback tournament and he could face an old foe
Rafael Nadal will not be seeded for the event in Brisbane as his ranking has collapsed due to his inactivity over the last year.
-
News
Leading coach gives a clinical verdict on the Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner debate
Alcaraz may be keen to avoid a meeting with Sinner at the Australian Open.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia – when it is, what can we expect, how much are they getting paid?
Djokovic and Alcaraz will be joined in Saudi Arabia by WTA Tour stars Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur for exhibition matches.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal’s alarming update on his comeback plans puts perspective on his ambitions
Nadal has admitted his comeback plans were in the balance for much of the last six months.
-
ATP Tour
The 5 players to win ATP titles without losing a set in 2023: Carlos Alcaraz the only one to do it twice
Here is a look at the six times a player won an ATP title without dropping a set in 2023.
-
Tennis News
Cameron Norrie exclusive on Novak Djokovic’s improvement, a pizza problem and his worst moment on court
Cameron Norrie gives Tennis365 an insight into his diet, his motivations and more…
-
Tennis News
Seven tennis stars among top 10 highest-paid female athletes in 2023: Emma Raducanu 4th
Tennis players once again dominate the list of highest-paid female athletes.