“I think my level’s always been there, but I think where I’m at mentally at the moment…I’m just competing for every point. I’m playing hard. I haven’t really had that mindset before, so I’m probably in the best place I’ve ever been.”
That’s what Nick Kyrgios had to say at Tuesday’s pre-draw press conference in advance of this weekend’s Davis Cup quarterfinal tie between Australia and the United States.
And who can disagree?
Kyrgios is playing arguably the best–and certainly the most consistent–tennis of his career. The 21-year-old Aussie is 14-4 this season, including 7-1 in his last eight matches. He reached the quarterfinals in Indian Wells before being forced to withdraw because of illness and the made a run to the Miami semis. Kyrgios came close to going even farther, but he went down to Australian Open, Indian Wells, and eventual Miami champion Roger Federer 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) after three hours and 11 minutes.
“I’m feeling good,” Kyrgios assured. “As soon as I lost [in Miami], all my focus came to Davis Cup. We’ve been looking forward to it, I’ve been looking forward to it since the last tie; we’ve all been looking forward to it. I feel like I’m playing well. I feel like I’ve got a really good opportunity now to battle against (the) U.S.A. It’s going to be a great tie. I’m really looking forward to being here.”
The world No. 16’s impressive 2017 campaign includes a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 Davis Cup beatdown of Jan Satral as Australia crushed the visiting Czech Republic 3-0 during first-round action two months ago.
“I think the last Davis Cup tie helped me a lot,” Kyrgios reflected. “Ever since then I’ve been in a good mental space. I’ve been wanting to play; [my teammates] have all been supporting me. It’s good to know these guys have my back, and I think that’s just the chemistry and having the support that they give.… Being with these guys again, they only lift me up. Hopefully we can come together as a team like we always do and get the result we want this weekend.”
“Nick’s played a lot of matches, so it’s about just keeping that momentum and rhythm now,” said Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt. “And he’s hitting the ball really well. We feel comfortable where he’s at, and the other boys have hardly put a foot wrong since we’ve got here.”
Kyrgios was not there when the Aussies lost to Team U.S.A. during in last year’s first round–also played in Australia. The Americans took advantage of Bernard Tomic and Sam Groth in singles to prevail 3-1, and the Bryan Brothers also picked up a five-set doubles victory over Hewitt and John Peers.
The United States knows things will be different this time around–regardless of the outcome.
“I think last year was different,” John Isner noted. “Different team for us, different team for them, as well, on a different surface. I think this tie is brand new.”
“[Nick] is a very good player,” Jack Sock added. “He’s having a good year and played well the last couple weeks. Obviously last week (he) had a great match with Roger in the semis. If he’s on, he’s a very tough player to play. I think the skill and talent has always been there; I think everyone knows that. Mentally, I think he’s doing a lot better job on court. It seems like he’s letting things go a little bit better, but like I said, he’s always had the skill tennis-wise. Mentally, if he’s on that day and into it, he’s tough.”
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Now that he’s actually trying all the time, NK has been nearly unstoppable. He will probably win both singles in the tie.