Nick Kyrgios is back à l'Open d'Australie. Chez lui, trois ans après sa dernière participation en 2022, l'Australien vit de belles émotions depuis quelques semaines et son retour à la compétition. Une semaine à Brisbane, un double avec Novak Djokovic et désormais les yeux rivés sur son premier tour contre le Britannique Jacob Fearnley... avec un potentiel deuxième tour contre Arthur Cazaux (opposé à Sebastian Baez). En conférence de presse, Kyrgios a mis fin au sujet du dopage, qu'il alimente lui-même depuis de nombreuses semaines, et évoqué ses sensations quant à son retour.
Photo : Instagram @k1ngkyrg1os
Photo : Instagram @k1ngkyrg1os
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00:00You said this week that your preparation for the tournament was day-by-day, how are you
00:09feeling today?
00:10Yeah, I mean, obviously had a really good return, I think, a successful return to Brisbane.
00:16Had a lot of fun, obviously carrying the greatest of all time in doubles wasn't on my resume
00:20and now it is.
00:22And then, yeah, had a really successful singles match against one of the most confident players
00:26on the tour.
00:28Went back home for a couple of days and obviously just tried to get a bit more under my legs
00:31and then hit some more tennis balls and obviously felt my abdomen a little bit.
00:35But today, this morning, I was out there feeling pretty good and then I'm actually hitting
00:40again this afternoon to test it out a little bit and see how it feels.
00:43But as of right now, I've still got three days before the tournament starts for me and
00:49yeah, I'm just taking it day-by-day and just enjoying all the moments again of being part
00:53of the tournament, going through all the hallways, the locker room, seeing everyone again.
00:57It's been an emotional time for me the last couple of weeks, but yeah, I'm just enjoying
01:02being back.
01:03Okay.
01:04We open up to questions.
01:05Please raise your hand and introduce yourself.
01:07How difficult has it been for you mentally, such a long road back and you're so close
01:15to making a Grand Slam return and now you've had to deal with a fresh injury concern?
01:18How tough has it been for you?
01:20Yeah, I think I was talking about this yesterday.
01:22I feel like when you're injured, people think you don't play as much tennis and you're not
01:25doing as much, but you're actually doing a bit more.
01:27I feel like I haven't been away from the game.
01:30Competitively I have been, but I don't feel like that.
01:32I feel like I've been playing more tennis more than ever.
01:34So I think me trying to emulate the match load in training and the body getting used
01:39to it again.
01:40I mean, anyone that's had an injury that's kept them out of the game for a year plus
01:43know that it's so hard to load manage because you're trying to get ready for that match
01:48intensity.
01:49So I think that's what I was doing.
01:50After Brisbane, it was really encouraging.
01:52Obviously my body was struggling a little bit, but I was like, okay, I'm going to try
01:56and build on that.
01:57And then obviously I had a little bit more of a setback, but I think it's just part of
02:00the game.
02:01You know, niggles, I don't think anyone really feels 100%, but look, as long as it's not
02:06something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it.
02:09James?
02:10James, great.
02:11You like paper.
02:12Nick, one of the parts of the job is the anti-doping stuff and getting tested and making sure you're
02:17putting the right things into your body.
02:18Can you just talk about what it's like having to think about that on a day-to-day basis?
02:23Do you ever get worried that when you see other people on tour accidentally get pinged?
02:28How much anxiety does that create for the players?
02:31Look, I don't want to speak too much about it.
02:35I think we've all been speaking about it.
02:38I feel like that's the only thing tennis has been speaking about the last six months.
02:43But for me, to answer your question, I've been tested four times in the last couple
02:50of months.
02:51I got tested in my home three days ago, so for me it hasn't been a problem at all in
02:56my career.
02:57I've been on the tour now for 10-plus years, so for me, I'm not worried at all because
03:05I know that I'm really, really on top of what's going on in my team.
03:13I'm very confident in myself that I'm not going to be accidentally putting something
03:18in my system.
03:19Peter Somerfield from 3AW.
03:20Two-part question.
03:21First, how's their body feeling after that brief session this morning?
03:27Secondly, there were a few photographers and media who were asked not to attend that session.
03:31Was there any reasoning behind that?
03:34I mean, the media loves me for some reason.
03:36I'm not too sure why.
03:38So I'm not surprised that I saw cameras and things out there.
03:40But it wasn't actually supposed to be a closed session at all.
03:43I think it was a misunderstanding.
03:44I mean, I didn't mind seeing the cameras and people out there.
03:47It was good.
03:48It created a bit more of an atmosphere and a vibe, and any time I get to play, whether
03:51it's a match or practice in front of these fans, there were so many kids out there.
03:55I think that's special for me that I have noticed that I'm a bit of a role model for
04:00these kids.
04:02So it was good.
04:04I didn't mind it at all.
04:05But my body's feeling OK after today's session, and I'm going again with Perricard at 4.30pm.
04:13What do you think you bring to an event like this?
04:16What does the event have when you're playing in it that it might not when you're not playing
04:21in it?
04:22And does that sort of weigh on you in any way?
04:26That's a good question.
04:29I mean, we watch sport because we want personalities.
04:33I think we love – we watch tennis as well.
04:39It's that one-on-one aspect of – now there's coaching allowed, but I really enjoyed tennis
04:44because it was 1v1.
04:45You had to watch that person figure it out over a four-, five-hour period.
04:49You saw the amount of emotions that one person goes under, and it's like drama.
04:53It's like theatre.
04:54But for me personally, me being back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to what's
05:00going to happen today, where that's like – I love that.
05:03I don't know whether – every time I step out on court, I don't know if I'm going to
05:05be super controversial in a good or bad way, which – I mean, throughout my career, it
05:11hasn't always been good, but it's added a lot of excitement to the game, I think.
05:14I think it's important because there's so many good players on the tour now, but I think
05:18there's not so many contrasting personalities.
05:21So I think it's healthy that I'm back and I'm playing.
05:24It doesn't really weigh on me, though.
05:27I've always been someone that's played my brand of tennis, and I guess my personality
05:32I haven't changed since I was 10 years old.
05:34Anyone that knows me knows that I've been just how I am now.
05:41So I think it's good to be back, and I think it's important because the sport was getting
05:45a bit mundane.
05:46Simon.
05:47Simon.
05:48Hi, Nick.
05:49Simon Campbell.
05:50When you were out – I know you were around the tour, commentating a bit, and you were
05:54watching what's going on.
05:55When you're out for quite a long period of time, is there a fear that the tour has moved
05:59on?
06:00Did you ever feel like that was a concern when you came back?
06:03I most definitely don't feel like – I mean, it's definitely the changing of the guard,
06:10that's for sure.
06:11I mean, you look at – I mean, when I was, say, like Sinner or Alcaraz at that age, when
06:16I was playing some of my best tennis, I had to get through three of – four of the greatest
06:20of all time in their prime trying to chase legacy stats.
06:23So I mean, it was very hard for me to kind of – I'm not saying I always ran into them,
06:28that was the reason I didn't win a slam, but it was – realistically, what are the chances
06:31of you winning a slam if you're going to beat all three of those guys in their prime?
06:36Virtually impossible.
06:38So I definitely feel like it's a changing of the guard, and we've got – there's such
06:41an amazing young crop of players coming in now, and they're incredible talents.
06:46And you look at someone like Fonseca as well, who's 17 or 18 years old playing ridiculous
06:51tennis, and he's like the next, next generation, but he's going to be knocking on the door
06:54pretty soon as well.
06:57But I definitely don't feel like the media thinks I've moved on.
06:59It seems to be the only thing they can talk about.
07:02I would love to just fly under the radar if possible, but it doesn't seem like that's
07:07going to be happening.
07:09Is there ever a fear that tennis has moved up a level and you won't be able to cope
07:14with it?
07:15Oh, so you mean like my level, like my actual tennis level?
07:18Your confidence in your ability and stuff.
07:20I mean, I've beaten pretty much everyone that the sport's put in front of me before,
07:23so I'm always going to back my ability.
07:26And people are always going to say, be realistic, or you're not going to be the same.
07:30I unfortunately don't have that mindset.
07:33I always have utmost confidence in my ability to, if I'm playing my style of tennis and
07:38my unpredictability, like I've got a chance against anyone.
07:41And I think that's what, that's the mindset you need to have against the people.
07:45Like if I walked out on the court against Nadal, Djokovic, Federer for the first time
07:49and was realistic, I probably wouldn't have won.
07:51But, you know, like a kid from Canberra going out there and beating those, like you can't
07:56be realistic.
07:57You have to be like, you have to think, I think I'm the best tennis player in the world.
08:00Like, is that realistic?
08:02Probably not.
08:03But I think that when I'm out there.
08:06And I think, yeah, I think if I play any of these top guys now, I have to have that mindset.
08:10Otherwise, I'm going to get blown off the court.
08:12That's where I have my, my confidence comes from, my belief in my own ability.
08:19Back from breaks, you talked about being refreshed, recharged.
08:21I just wondered, like, how different it feels for you having not played?
08:26I guess I don't feel like fresh or recharged.
08:29But I feel like I haven't been around this kind of grand slam.
08:32There's a lot, I forgot the amount of emotions that you feel.
08:34You know, the nervousness when the draw comes out or, you know, seeing all these guys in
08:38the locker room.
08:39It is, our sport is truly strange.
08:41It's the strangest dynamic.
08:42Like, you're literally showering, eating, spending time with your competitors that you're
08:47going to go out and literally go to war against.
08:49It's such a strange dynamic compared to any other sport.
08:53But, yeah, I just, I feel at home, I guess.
08:57You know, the Australian Open's been an amazing event for me and for many others.
09:01But I feel like, I feel back at home being at a grand slam and, you know, the preparation
09:06and the team environment and stuff.
09:08It's pretty cool.
09:11You're pretty good mates with Djokovic.
09:13Obviously, he's come out and said he thinks he was allegedly poisoned here three years
09:17ago during a hotel quarantine.
09:19Any reaction to that?
09:20Have you spoken to him at all?
09:21He was what?
09:22Allegedly poisoned during hotel quarantine.
09:24Have you heard about that?
09:25Have you spoken to him about it at all?
09:26No, I haven't spoken to him about that.
09:27I didn't even know that.
09:28But, yeah, I mean, I'll stand on my...
09:29We treated him like shit.
09:31That's for sure.
09:32We shouldn't have done that.
09:34Luke?
09:36Hi Nick, happy New Year.
09:37Umbrajic from Kurir, Serbia.
09:39Have you made a final commitment to the greatest of all time that you will show up in Belgrade
09:43and do an exit with him?
09:45If he pays me.
09:46I mean, I think he can pay me a pretty good amount.
09:49I'll happily come.
09:51I don't even want to play tennis.
09:52I want to party in Belgrade.
09:53I want to party with Djokovic in Serbia.
09:55That will go down as the greatest of all time.
09:59We'll do the last two.
10:00Eleanor and then Courtney.
10:02Hi Nick, Eleanor from PA.
10:04It's a big moment for your opponent, making his Australian Open debut.
10:08I just wondered how much do you know about Jake?
10:11Yeah, you know, I definitely...
10:14He's been knocking on the door with some pretty good results the last six to nine months.
10:19And, you know, he's obviously very confident.
10:22And, you know, he was actually in my hometown the other week playing the challenger there.
10:25And I saw him there.
10:27He's extremely confident.
10:28And you've got to be careful with these guys because, you know, I know the players like me,
10:31we do have a target on our back.
10:33And these guys go out there trying to play their best tennis.
10:36And I've experienced that.
10:37You know, when guys go out there confident, you know, on their debut,
10:40or they tend to play a bit higher and a bit better than the actual, you know, base level.
10:45So, you know, I'm not underestimating anyone in this event.
10:48You know, me personally, I haven't played many tennis matches,
10:51so I'm still trying to find my feet as well.
10:53But at the same time, I'll do my research and I'll be well aware of what he does well.
10:58And he's obviously, you know, been in pretty good form too.
11:00Obviously, I'm pretty sure he, you know, made things pretty challenging for Novak at Wimbledon.
11:06So anyone who can do that on such a big stage has that kind of X factor there.
11:11So I know that he's going to be willing to embrace that challenge against me in Australia.
11:16And, yeah, it's going to be good.
11:19But as I said, you know, there's a lot of time between now and then,
11:22so I'm going to just take it one step at a time.
11:25Last one, Corey.
11:26Can I ask you, just from a pundit's perspective,
11:29looking at Alex and Alexi and Jordan and what they've done in the last sort of 12 months, 18 months,
11:35what have you seen them and where do you see, I suppose, men's tennis in the country?
11:40I mean, men's tennis in Australia right now is ridiculously strong.
11:44And we have a lot of players and it's very deep.
11:47I think Tomo, I mean, I'll start with Damon.
11:51I think, you know, I remember he was our orange boy at Davis Cup and we'd won the tie
11:57and he needed to have some extra practice.
12:00And I was like, oh, I'll go out there and teach this little kid a lesson.
12:03And then, like, I brought a beer out there, I remember, and I was like, this guy can't be that good.
12:07And then, like, it was like a really close set.
12:09And I was, like, in my prime and he was only, like, 17.
12:11I was like, this guy's going to be, like, you know, really sold.
12:14So to see how well he's kind of taken it upon himself to be our number one player for the last, you know,
12:21three, four years and he's grown into be such a, you know, to deal with everything.
12:25Like, the pressure of being our number one player, you know, I was there
12:29and I didn't always deal with it the best, but he's a ridiculously good role model.
12:33And I genuinely think he's a threat at any Grand Slam and any tournament he plays.
12:37I mean, he's made quarterfinals of, I think, every Slam but the AO.
12:42I don't know if he did.
12:43I don't know.
12:44I think he did.
12:45But he's got a chance to win a Slam for sure.
12:47I think he does everything right.
12:48He's improved little things in his game where I thought that he needed to improve.
12:52He's done that.
12:53And obviously, pop is dangerous whenever he's feeling good with that serve, winning the Masters event.
13:00I'm super happy for these guys because they put in all the hard work.
13:05I mean, obviously, I know Tomo.
13:06I've known Tomo since basically he was in diapers.
13:09So, you know, just to see how well he's transitioned
13:12and finally kind of got into that seeding at a Grand Slam where it can really open up for him.
13:17He's more than capable of doing some damage as well.
13:19So all these Aussie guys are really, they're really good.
13:23They're really, really good.
13:25And, you know, we've got a good crop of young guys coming through as well.
13:28So it's a good time to be an Australian tennis fan.
13:33No worries.