Has Nick Kyrgios Really Changed?

With his recent fundraising for the bushfire relief, tennis fans across Australia and indeed the world are finding themselves falling in love with Kyrgios but we’re asking the question has Nick really changed for the better?

Every tennis fan has always had the opinion that Nick Kyrgios is one of the most naturally talented tennis players in the world but it is his attitude that has stopped him from reaching his true potential.

His on-court behavior has made headlines on countless occasions and the fines he has accumulated is staggering.

• He was given three code violations for audible obscenities and racket-smashing at the US Open in 2014 (one more would have disqualified him).
• Fined $4,926 for audible obscenities and racket-smashing at the Australian Open in 2015.
• Fined $12,470 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $2,625 for swearing at Wimbledon in 2015.
• Fined $4,370 for swearing at the Australian Open in 2016 (he also took a phone call while on the court during a mixed doubles match)
• Fined $6,200 for swearing at the French Open in 2016.
• Fined $8,690 for swearing at Wimbledon in 2016.

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At the 2018 Queen’s Club Championships, Kyrgios was issued a $17,500 fine after “miming masturbation with his water bottle” during a changeover in his semifinal match against Marin Čilić.

At the 2019 Rome Masters, Kyrgios was defaulted from his second round encounter with Casper Ruud after swearing at a line judge, kicking a bottle, and hurling a chair onto the court. Kyrgios was subsequently fined €20,000 and forfeited all prize money and points earned during the event and was told to cover the costs of his hospitality.

In June 2019, Kyrgios accumulated three fines totaling $17,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct at the Queen’s Club Championships.

Kyrgios was fined $113,000 for five separate incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct at the 2019 Cincinnati Masters tournament. During the second set, Kyrgios felt that the shot clock – which counts down the time allowed between points – had been started too early, and he delivered an expletive-laden rant at umpire Fergus Murphy, stating the Irish umpire was “the worst, hands down”. He then walked off the court, claiming he needed to use the restroom, but instead used the time to smash two racquets on the floor in a corridor.

At the end of the match, Kyrgios told Murphy he was “a f****** tool”, chose not to shake the official’s hand, displayed a vulgar gesture, and appeared to spit at him. The fine set an ATP record.

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This behavior has attracted criticism from tennis stars including John McEnroe who said:

“Kyrgios has to look in the mirror if he wants to become a top player and win Slams.”

The Australian’s lack of effort was then called in to question at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships after he was accused of “tanking” (deliberately not playing up to his abilities).

During the second set of his fourth-round loss to Richard Gasquet, Kyrgios was booed by the crowd for his perceived lack of effort, but denied the accusations, stating “of course I tried”.

He admitted in 2017 that he had “probably” tanked at eight tournaments during his professional career because on certain days he’d “rather be doing something else than play tennis”.

Following his exit from the 2016 US Open, Kyrgios was subject to further criticism from McEnroe who called on Kyrgios to retire from the sport, saying: “Nick Kyrgios, if you don’t want to be a professional tennis player, do something else.”

Thes fines alone totaled US$214,656

That’s enough of the negative side of Nick.

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What a lot of people don’t realise is Kyrgios is passionate about his charity work and so much so that he created the NK foundation which is helping disadvantaged and underprivileged kids.

“A couple of years ago I had a vision: to build a facility for disadvantaged and underprivileged kids where they could hang out, be safe and feel like they were part of a family. There’d be tennis courts and basketball courts and a gym and oval to kick the footy. There’d be food to eat and beds to sleep in.

I discussed this idea with my mum, Norlaila, and my brother, Christos. It’s all I’ve been thinking about outside of tennis. When I’m not playing or training, I’m working on this.

We are currently in the process of scoping out land in Melbourne and actively looking for organisations and businesses to partner with.

This dream is going to become a reality.”

Conceptual master plans of the vision for the NK Foundation.

“For the first time, I feel like there is a reason for me to be doing what I’m doing. Tennis is a great life – we’re well paid and the perks are pretty good – but it can feel empty if you’re just doing it for the money.

I love kids. I get more happiness from helping kids out and watching them succeed than I do from my own wins on the tennis tour. It’s always been that way.”

If you think this is the only charity work Kyrgios does then we’re happy to tell you that you are wrong.

The 24-year-old tennis ace regularly hits the court with sick kids – even before critical games and despite tournament fatigue. Usually, these special moments of giving are kept undercover with no publicity.

In 2018 Camp Quality chief executive Kylea Tink said that for the past couple of years, on the quiet, Kyrgios has been putting smiles on the faces of seriously ill children.

At the Australian Open, young oncology patients were welcomed at the courts.

“Nick Kyrgios has quietly given Camp Quality kids the incredible opportunity to not only meet him but have a hit on the courts.

“We are so grateful for how generously he has given this gift,” Ms Tink said.

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When we look forward to 2020 Nick was on the front foot when devastating bushfires destroyed homes, devastated families and crippled Australia’s wildlife population.

Kyrgios took a leading role in the response from the country’s tennis players.

On Twitter, he proposed an exhibition prior to the Australian Open which later raised over $4.8m for the victims of the fires.

He later pledged to donate $200 for every ace he served during the summer. This offer was subsequently taken up by other Australian tennis players.

I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

This has undoubtedly spurred on the best tennis from the 24-year-old and has Australians supporting him like never before.

This brings us back to our question.

Has Nick Kyrgios changed?

Our answer is simply no.

We have noticed that he is now enjoying being so heavily supported but it is the Australian people that have changed by allowing Nick to show who he really is.

Sure he has his bad side like every person does but he has always been a charitable person and just because he throws his racquet and has the odd outburst doesn’t change the fact that Australians should be proud to call Nick Kyrgios one of their own.

We’re looking forward to seeing Nick play his best tennis and want to wish him all of the best.

The Sporting Base Team.

Click Here to donate to the NK Foundation

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