AO looms as major stress point for prickly Kyrgios

Australian Open home stress and outsized expectations are already preying on the mind of Nick Kyrgios.

The Wimbledon finalist who won the Melbourne doubles trophy last January with Thanasi Kokkinakis, told Eurosport that he’s just keen to getting the home major done and dusted.

“I’m not even looking forward to before AO, I’m just looking to after it, I kind of want it to be over,” he said.

“I know how stressful it is for me personally to be in the spotlight… everything,  even my days off are stressful.”

The No. 22 called the upcoming month “exhausting.”

“I’m gearing for an exhausting couple of weeks to be honest. But I’ve just got to internalise it and just think to myself it’s just another tournament.

“Obviously, it’s a lot more than just a tournament for a lot of other people around me.”

Bu he added: “I’m the one playing, so I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I’m only human at the end of the day, so I can’t deal with too much.”

The weeks after the event ends on January 29 are looking blissful for the controversial fan favourite.

“I know I’ve got about a month and a half after that where I’m going to be at home before Indian Wells (mid-March start).

“I’m not going to play anything after that. That’s really what I’m looking forward to.”

Main photo:- Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrate their win in the Men’s doubles final Australian Open 2022 by Karl Winter