In his recent piece for Australia’s new PlayersVoice website, Nick Kyrgios insisted–again–that he does not belong in the same category as countryman Bernard Tomic. Both talented Aussies have endured myriad off-the-court issues, but Kyrgios has remained inside or near the top 20 on a consistent basis while Tomic has plunged to No. 146 in the world.
“You’d be wrong if you tried to lump me in the same category as Bernard Tomic, as Kitty Chiller and tons of others have over time,” Kyrgios wrote. “Bernie has lost his way. We were pretty good mates when I was younger. I obviously didn’t know the tennis tour too well back then and we were guys of similar age, representing the same country, on the road at many of the same tournaments.
“But a lot has changed since then. He needs to figure out what he wants to do. I can’t relate to anything he says anymore. He says one thing and he does the other. And he contradicts himself all the time. He says tennis doesn’t make him happy, that he doesn’t really like the game, yet he says the only thing that will really make him happy is winning a grand slam. It doesn’t make sense at all.”
Due to poor play and admitted disinterest, Tomic is 9-16 this season and has lost in the first round in five of his last eight tournaments–including right away at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. The 24-year-old did not play a single tournament in between the two most recent majors.
Kyrgios, who registers at 20th in the rankings despite being plagued by injuries in 2017, is currently leading Australia’s Davis Cup team against Belgium in a semifinal tie. Tomic, unsurprisingly, is not on the roster.
NK is a couple years younger than Tomic. That gives him plenty of time to screw up as much, or more.
LOL, Ramara! 😀
😀 Nope, Tomic will outscrew Kyrgios :))
I can’t tolerate the likes of Mr, Curious and Tomic who squander their innate talents and take the piss out of tennis fans. Am even more irritated by the sycophancy of commentators constantly telling us that Kyrgios is good for the game. He is an appalling role model for the younger generation.
I suspect many people by now have become disenchanted by his stupid antics – even those who believed the hyperbole at the time he burst onto the scene.
ed,
I absolutely agree with you! Well said! As if talent excuses bad behavior. Not!
When Kyrgios sticks to playing tennis and loses the attitude and histrionics on court, I can appreciate his game. But we just don’t see it that often. He usually looks like he is having a tooth pulled when he is in a match!
The arrogance, sense of entitlement and lack of appreciation for the opportunity are all quite off putting. Kyrgios is not willing to put in the hard work and effort required for even the most talented players to succeed.
I am fed up with commentators who continue to heap praise on Kyrgios despite his bratty behavior and boorish behavior.
Don’t know he had the gall to say what he did about Tomic either. He’d better watch his back the next time theeir paths cross.
# the pot calling the kettle black