KYRGIOS DEFIES ODDS TO EARN HIS SHOT AT GLORY
THE stereotype has long suggested that Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios doesn’t have the ticker or the legs to play marathon games, let alone go deep in a Grand Slam.
Sadly, recent statistics have backed up these presumptions about Kyrgios.
In his 30 Grand Slams, the right-hander from Canberra has only entered the second round on six occasions.
It’s a trend Kyrgios has shattered on his remarkable run to this year’s Wimbledon Final, including two marathon five setters.
This success doesn’t surprise his close friend, Sydney Kings guard Biwali Bayles.
Bayles witnessed the Aussie ace’s appetite for endurance during regular pick-up basketball games at the KGV Recreational Centre in The Rocks in Sydney earlier this year.
“Nick was always the one who wanted to keep playing when everyone else was buggered,” said Bayles, who has regularly texted and Face Timed Kyrgios before and after games from his loungeroom in Sydney.
“As a professional basketball player, I’d be considered as a pretty good athlete, but Nick never stopped. “Everyone would say, ‘Nick, bro, the game is done’, but he was always like: ‘no, one more.
“He was always trying to get in that extra training. He would scrimmage with us on the basketball court for two hours and then go to tennis training for a few hours after that – it’s impressive.”
Kyrgios’ dedication has been rewarded in Wimbledon.
He has won two-five set marathon matches against Paul Jubb in the first round and against young US hotshot Brandon Nakashima in the fourth round.
He also outlasted fourth seeded Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in a volatile third round victory that last 3 hours and 17 minutes.
In all he‘s been on court over 13 hours to reach the Wimbledon final – but should be remarkably fresher than his opponent after the walkover from Rafa Nadal afforded Kyrgios a full three days of rest and recovery before Sunday’s final.
The polarising Aussie isn’t always popular, but Bayles says his mate deserves his time in the sun.
“It is good to see Nick go this far,” he said.
“People always talk about how talented he is, but he could do anything if he just applied himself and cared.
“Well, this run at Wimbledon is him showing everyone what he is capable of doing.
“It’s not really surprising to me having been around Nick a lot and I’m genuinely happy for him.”
Bayles first met Kyrgios a yearand-a-half ago when he was approached to play pick-up basketball games with the tennis star.
The pair made an immediate connection through hoops and a desire to succeed at the highest level in their chosen sport.
It’s why Bayles has religiously watched all of Kyrgios’ games in Wimbledon, even staying up until the wee hours of the morning to congratulate his mate.
The Kings guard, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, is gunning for his buddy to claim a Wimbledon title and create history.