Tennis Today: Nick Kyrgios makes ‘mental struggles’ admission, while fans blast TV channel for not showing him more
In Tennis Today, Nick Kyrgios is again dividing opinion, but in the process also proving just how crucial he has become to the mass appeal of the sport.
What’s on the site
Did you know that yesterday was the 14th anniversary of Andre Agassi winning his final ATP singles title? No? Well I guess that’s what you have us for, yes?
Well, to celebrate, we decided to recall when tennis’ Mr Cool lost that cool, and was disqualified as a result.
Any time Andy Murray plays in a tournament it seems he has to answer questions every single day about his recovery from injury and future plans. This week has been no different.
He has already teased that the Cincinnati Open could see his return to singles action, but he has also now confirmed he will be teaming up with Feliciano Lopez again in the doubles before that happens.
Finally, have you ever seen a Padel Tennis player hit a ball through a car’s open sunroof from a rooftop 120 feet above the vehicle? Well, if not, you have a chance to rectify that right here.
What’s in the news
Nick Kyrgios has been in the news, and typically been dividing opinion as he does.
Firstly, the Australian let his guard down a little to show some rare vulnerability, as he touched upon some psychological challenges he is currently facing.
After his win at the Citi Open, he admitted to some struggles that explain his wildly inconsistent form of 2019.
“I haven’t been playing too much tennis, being going through some mental struggles, but super happy with the win,” he said.
Kyrgios, famously, does not have a dedicated coach and has admitted previously to having endured some problems with mental health, although he has always rejected calls for him to hire a mentor to help him through on a daily basis.
On the court, his behaviour was a lt more controversial, as he berated an umpire and demolished a racket en-route to another Citi Open win. One small boy was delighted with the souvenir though.
Might want to go with a higher tension?
🤔🤔#CO19 pic.twitter.com/0opGlCx8yg
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 31, 2019
The real debate, though, surrounded fury from fans who took t social media to blast the Tennis Channel for not actually televising Kyrgios’ match, highlighting just how box office he has become.
I really can’t stand how @TennisChannel puts the more marquee players on their subscription service.
Both Kyrgios and Tsitsipas are playing right now. Neither shown on TC.
This isn’t going to cause more people to sign up, it’s going to get them to stop watching at all.
— Steve Edwardo (@SteveEdwardo) July 31, 2019
Why is @TennisChannel hatin’ on @NickKyrgios?!?! Put him on the TV! Literally left work early for this match and I come home to have to watch San Jose?!? #BOGUS! Change the channel to the real match going on !! @TennisChannelPR #GARBAGE
— Joey Alleva (@JoeyAlleva) July 31, 2019
Say what you want about the Australian, but he certainly gets people talking about tennis.
What’s on social media
Haters gonna hate, says Taylor Fritz…
View this post on Instagram
Best shot u’ve ever seen 🔥🤯 Haters will say it’s fake 🔥 @tennistv @abiertoloscabos
Brothers back in the groove…
… although they did try to get a little too intimate with their opponents on court…
What’s on TV
ATP Washington
LIVE – Amazon Prime Video
ATP Los Cabos
LIVE – Amazon Prime Video
ATP Kitzbühel
LIVE – Tennis TV
WTA San Jose
LIVE – BT Sport 2
WTA Washington
LIVE – BT Sport 3
