Kyrgios admits to ‘losing identity’ as he explains playing Saudi event

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Nick Kyrgios has opened up on his struggles with tennis in recent years as he explained his decision to play in this week’s Diriyah Tennis Cup. The world No 22 is among the twelve players competing at the exhibition in Saudi Arabia, which has attracted controversy, but Kyrgios said he wanted to attract new fans to the sport in his bid to leave behind a legacy.

Kyrgios will be making his first appearance in singles tennis since pulling out of October’s Tokyo Open with injury as he takes to Saudi Arabia for a three-day exhibition event from Thursday. The Diriyah Tennis Cup has drawn criticism, with Amnesty UK telling other competing players like Cameron Norrie they are “being deliberately hired in to take part in the latest jamboree of Saudi sportswashing.”

The Australian has now explained his decision to take part in the event as he said he wanted to bring tennis to places that didn’t get to experience the sport, as he opened up on “losing his identity” on the tennis court. “I’m always excited about the idea of playing this type of event, because it’s very important that the fans can be involved,” the 27-year-old told the Diriyah Tennis Cup ahead of the tournament.

“I love travelling to places where you don’t know much about tennis, and trying to draw attention to the sport, I think it’s important. When I retire I want to know that I have left something and get many new fans into the sport. I think it’s a bonus for me to be able to play these matches and I will use the pressure from the match to start ahead of the others at the start of the season.”

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The world No 22 is bidding to prepare for the 2023 season during this week’s exhibition as he has already learned that he will face Rafael Nadal in Australia’s United Cup tie against Spain on January 2 and 3. Kyrgios has enjoyed a career-best year in 2022 as he won the Australian Open doubles title and reached his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon, and will be hoping to build on his success.

He has also opened up on his recent struggles with competition, explaining just how much of a turning point his run at the All England Club was. “In recent years it seemed to me that I had lost my identity on the tennis court, so I proved that I am still one of the best in the world,” he added.

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“Before the final at Wimbledon I couldn’t sleep, it was what I had worked for all my life. I was two sets away from tennis immortality, it’s an experience I will never forget. It made me so much hungrier for success, I learned a lot.”

Kyrgios’ words come after he revealed he was receiving a six-figure payday for participating in the Saudi Arabia exhibition. When an Instagram user questioned why the Aussie wasn’t in Malaga to join his national team at the Davis Cup Finals – where they lost out in the final to Canada – he responded: “About to go to Saudi for 6 figures actually.”

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