“I’m just using this as a big change of scenery. I take it day by day,try and be better as a tennis player,try and be better as a person. I’ve honestly just reached a nice level of freedom,nothing phases me any more.”
Just days away from an opening round match on the All-England grass against French 25th-seed Ugo Humbert – on the back of a severe lack of match practice – the Australian again expressed strong confidence about his ability to compete with most of the tour players.
“I definitely feel that I could beat 50 per cent of the draw on grass without much preparation,” said Kyrgios after joining the “tennis bubble” in the United Kingdom.
“I know for a fact that no one here wanted to play me first round. I feel completely confident going into this match.
“I’m not saying that I’m the favourite but I know how to play on grass. I’ve won a lot of matches on grass.
“It’s going to be fun. As I said,I’m the underdog.
“I’m not like a first-year,second-year or third-year guy putting pressure on myself to do well. I just want to go out,have some fun.
“It’s Wimbledon,it’s the pinnacle of tennis. I’m going to get myself some strawberries and chill,hits some serves,hit some volleys,enjoy the grass and chill out.”
When bushfires enveloped south-eastern Australia before the 2020 Australian Open and then the implications of the coronavirus were revealed to the world in subsequent months,Kyrgios underwent something of a transformation from a problem child to a voice of reason. He openly condemned some tennis peers for their behaviour in the weeks after the pandemic struck.
But he’s treating his decision to hit the road and make his keenly awaited return at Wimbledon as his call,and his alone.
“I didn’t feel at all that I had to play. I didn’t feel obligated to play,” said the 2014 Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
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“I wasn’t pushed. I made a decision. When I was home I wasn’t looking at any results. I’d go on Twitter and see the odd result here or there. But I was happy without tennis.
“I just feel like I’ve got a little bit to give,left in the game. I feel like a lot of people wanted me to play. I feel like I’m playing for a lot of people.
“No one’s made me play. I didn’t feel like I had to play. It’s just a decision that I made.”
In facing 22-year-old Humbert in an opening round match at Wimbledon,Kyrgios again faces a tough opponent who took him to five-sets in Melbourne four months ago.
The Canberran won after saving two match points at Melbourne Park and,unsurprisingly,plenty of antics. And now that’s he’s back on the travelling tour,get ready for more.
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