From dark to light: Kyrgios triumphs
NICK Kyrgios has spoken of the “serious strength” it has taken him to push through the dark times that consumed him last year after winning a seventh career title at the Citi Open in Washington.
Kyrgios beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 6-3, breaking his rival in the first game of each set and staying flawless on his own serve to remain unbroken for the entire tournament.
The victory was Kyrgios’s first title since he last won in Washington in 2019 and his celebration after converting match point showed just how much it meant to the 27-yearold.
“I’ve been in some really dark places and just to be able to turn it around (is remarkable),” Kyrgios said.
“There’s so many people who have helped me get there but myself, I’ve shown some serious strength to just continue and persevere and get through all those times and be able to still perform and win tournaments like this one.
“It’s just very emotional for me. To see where I was at last year, to now – it’s just an incredible transformation.”
Kyrgios was on form from the beginning, breaking Nishioka in the opening game of the match after electing to receive when he won the toss.
It proved to be a key decision, with Nishioka almost flawless on serve for the remainder of the set.
But the damage had already been done, and Kyrgios went on to serve out the set before landing a key blow by breaking Nishioka again in the first game of the second set from 40-15 down.
It was a huge blow for the Japanese player – mentally as much as physically – and he was never really in the hunt, eventually conceding his serve for a second time to concede the title.
“I just came out with great energy. I knew that I had experience on my side today,” Kyrgios said.
“I love this court and I’ve played so many good matches here, so I was really, really happy.”
The newly consistent world No.63 will leap to 37th in the world rankings with the win.
He would have been 15th had world ranking points been awarded at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios’s consistency extends to his on-court demeanour as much as his general play. There was the odd yell in frustration, a brief rant at the ball kids in the second set, a complaint to chair umpire for his haste in starting the serve clock. But there were no major blow-ups from the man who will enter the US Open in hot form and among the favourites for the title.
Kyrgios became the first man to sweep singles and doubles titles in the event’s 53-year history – a feat he called “super special” – by joining American Jack Sock to beat Croatian Ivan Dodig and American Austin Krajicek 7-5, 6-4 in the final.