Nick Kyrgios’ surprise doubles offer to teen phenom Coco Gauff
American teen phenom Coco Gauff has accepted an offer from Nick Kyrgios to play mixed doubles together at next year’s Australian Open.
Kyrgios became a fan favourite at Wimbledon this year following an entertaining mixed doubles stint alongside tennis royalty Venus Williams, but unfortunately had to withdraw from their second round clash due to injury.
The Australian star conceded he might not get another opportunity to partner with the seven-time grand slam champion.
“That was definitely some of the most fun I’ve had on the tennis court, just to grace the court with such an icon and such a legend before she retires,” Kyrgios told news.com.au last month.
“She’s 41, and obviously her body will be hurting a lot, so I’m not sure how long she’ll play.”
But Kyrgios has already unearthed another US superstar to play alongside.
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Gauff was recently asked which player she would like to be friends with during an interview at the Citi Open, and the 17-year-old didn’t need long to conjure an answer.
“Definitely Nick Kyrgios. On court he’s a super funny guy and off court super kind,” she responded.
“He probably doesn‘t know this, but I first hit with him when I was 12 I believe at the Miami Open.
“He also played ping-pong with my brother back in the Citi Open last year.”
Which ATP player would @CocoGauff like to be friends with? ?
?: @citiopenpic.twitter.com/2u4mK1Ykpv
Kyrgios replied to the tweet: “Anytime! You are going to do great things in this sport and I can’t wait to watch. I got plenty more ping pong lessons as well.”
The 26-year-old then asked on Twitter: “@CocoGauff mixed at Aussie Open?”
Gauff responded: “Let’s make it happen.”
The American teenager reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros this year and currently sits at No. 25 on the WTA rankings.
She famously defeated four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka in straight sets at the 2020 Australian Open.
Needless to say, tennis fans were overjoyed at the revelation, predicting that Kyrgios and Gauff would form one of the tournament’s most entertaining doubles pairing.
The 2022 Australian Open is scheduled to commence on January 17, but the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic could force Tennis Australia to once again postpone the grand slam tournament.
let’s make it happen ?? https://t.co/8FW7psUiuG
Kyrgios’ title defence of the Citi Open was over before it even began, going down in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald last week.
But it wasn’t the 6-4, 6-4 straight sets defeat that dominated headlines after the match, nor was it any of Kyrgios’ long list of on-court antics.
Rather, it was a heartbreaking and almost depressing admission in his post-match press conference that he had supposedly lost his competitive edge.
“I’m not feeling the severity of certain points, and I don’t feel the pressure as much as obviously playing week in, week out,” Kyrgios said.
“You feel when you kind of have to press, when you kind of have to relax, when you kind of coast, when you kind of push.
“I don’t really feel like my body and my mind quite understand the severity of some points here or there because I haven’t played that much.
“Look, I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed.
“I know that I’m going to be dealing with a lot of s**t now on social media. Like, my head’s in the shed, to be honest.
“I don’t know, I didn’t play great.”
Nick Kyrgios opted not to play at the Tokyo Olympics.Source:AFP
With the US Open kicking off at the end of August, it won’t be long before we find out what type of Nick Kyrgios will step onto the courts at Flushing Meadows.
His previous best performance in New York is the third round, but if his performance at the Citi Open is anything to go by, he’ll be fighting to advance past the first obstacle whoever that may be.
Kyrgios also cryptically hinted his days as a professional tennis player were numbered.
– with Alex Conrad, NCA NewsWire
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