No surprise as Kyrgios kicks RG to the kerb

Hot-headed Nick Kyrgios will skip the French Open for the ninth time in his chequered career, with the now-part-timer vowing to take another crack at Wimbledon.

The 30-year-old, once notorious as the foul-mouthed bad boy of the ATP, has gone quiet in recent seasons as his career trailed off due to injury, a 2023 wrist operation and what some see as a lack of desire to compete at the elite level.

The Australian who played the 2022 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic, , has made just two Grand Slam appearances in the four intervening years.

With his current ranking flirting with the 1,000 mark, Kyrgios will need either a wild card or qualifying rounds to secure his first place at the All England Club since 2022.

The Kyrgios disdain for clay is evident, with the Aussie last competing at Roland Garros nine years ago; in five previous entries, he never advanced past the third round.

Kyrgios detailed his rough-draft schedule to Britain’s Tennishead: “The clay court and I have an interesting relationship—maybe not this year, but next year is a possibility.

“I’m working toward Wimbledon and will be playing in Stuttgart and Mallorca this June. I can’t wait to be back on the grass playing some really, really high-level tennis.”

Kyrgios opened up a bit more to the Good Trouble podcast:  “All I do now is play for the fans.”I still have a massive following. 

“Now, I just enjoy going out there for the fans and putting on a crazy show, seeing the kids out there, that’s basically why I’m playing now.

Main photo:-Wimbledon 2022 Novak Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios in Mens Singles Final – Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd