Fed warning for Kyrgios
ROGER Federer warned temperamental Australian Nick Kyrgios yesterday that he would never fulfil his potential without the work ethic to go with his talent.
The 23-year-old Kyrgios made another contentious exit from the Shanghai Masters on Monday after a running argument with the chair umpire who suggested his efforts were “borderline”.
The 38th-ranked Kyrgios was on the end of a surprise first-round loss to the American qualifier Bradley Klahn, the world number 104 winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
It is the third time in as many Shanghai appearances that Kyrgios has departed the Masters 1000 under a cloud.
Speaking in Shanghai, where Federer is the top seed and reigning champion, the 37year-old Swiss great called Kyrgios “a great player”.
But he also sounded a note of caution.
“I think it’s really up to him where he wants to go and what his potential really holds,” said the 20-time Grand Slam winner. “We don’t really know and I don’t think he really knows exactly what his potential is.
“And only through understanding work ethic and scheduling and whatever it might be, creating the right team around himself, only then can you unlock the potential really.”
Kyrgios, who this week lost his status as Australia’s number one to 33rd-ranked Alex de Minaur, has a chequered history in Shanghai.
Last year he was fined after he walked off midway through his first-round match, and in 2016 he was suspended and fined after being accused of giving away points in another defeat.
Federer, who admitted that the hard graft did not necess- arily come naturally to him either, backed Kyrgios to “win bigger tournaments and do all these things”.
“But there is still a process in place that he needs to do like any other player needs to go through in order to be successful,” he said.
Australia’s Daria Gavrilova backed Federer.
Gavrilova, the secondranked Australian woman, said: “I’m pretty sure Roger is spot on. He (Kyrgios) is definitely one of the most talented players out there and I love watching him.
“I don’t know what happened in Shanghai but … hopefully he can make a breakthrough and win a few slams.”
The Russian-born Aussie, back at the Hong Kong Open after losing last year’s typhoon-delayed final, added: “He’s different, he plays different and I guess when you come to watch him you never know what’s going to happen.”
Gavrilova booked her place in the second round after a fiery three-set victory over the Kazakh Zarina Diyas.