By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 24, 2024
Photograph credit score: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Going through Nick Kyrgios in Madrid, Roger Federer famously noticed “We want a clown for this circus.”
On the subject of clowns, Nick Kyrgios is in a category by himself, two Russian standouts stated.
Requested their views on the explosive Aussie’s comeback, Elena Vesnina and Nikolay Davydenko issued blistering tag-team takedown calling Kyrgios “an overrated clown” in an interview with BetBoomTennis.
The 29-year-old Kyrgios introduced his purpose to launch his comeback at an exo in December in preparation for enjoying the 2025 Australian Open.
Former world No. 3 Davydenko, who captured 21 titles together with a crushing conquest of Rafa Nadal within the 2008 Miami Open last, dismissed Kyrgios as an “overrated”, injury-prone participant whose outcomes didn’t match his hype.
“He’s usually overrated,” Davydenko advised BetBoom Tennis. “When it was time to play, he was all the time injured. In brief, let’s neglect about him.”
Vesnina, the 2017 Indian Wells champion and former Wimbledon semifinalist, ripped Kyrgios as “a clown.” although she additionally praised him as a supremely proficient participant, who typically got here up brief in Slams.
“Clown, I agree,” Vesnina stated. “However he was extremely proficient and gifted. He had a strong serve and an excellent forehand. However when it got here to profitable a significant title, all that went up in smoke.”
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Maybe the disrespect will add gasoline to Kyrgios’ aggressive hearth.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist says he believes he can win a Grand Slam singles title and is aware of mastering a significant is the one solution to quiet his critics.
The truth is, Kyrgios introduced two principal missions forward of his comeback: Win a Slam title and silence skeptics.
“I’m coming again as a result of one thing is holding me across the recreation,” Kyrgios advised Australia’s Information Corp Code Sports activities. “I’ve crushed just about each individual that has been put in entrance of me, made a last of a Grand Slam, gained a doubles title in a Grand Slam, gained a number of titles and made cash.
“However I feel the one factor that’s now on my goal is a Grand Slam. I feel that would be the solely factor that may shut individuals up on the finish of the day.”
Will Kyrgios have the final chuckle? Solely time and his efficiency will inform.
