Becker backs Nick
BORIS Becker has pleaded with Nick Kyrgios’ critics to cut the embattled Australian some slack, predicting the controversial firebrand will eventually win Wimbledon.
A triple All England Club champion, Becker watched Kyrgios plummet out of contention with first- round retirement to France’s Pierre- Hugues Herbert with a chronic hip complaint.
Becker, who won Wimbledon twice as a teenager, says there are similarities between the way he was treated in Germany to how Kyrgios is scorned in Australia.
“He’s a proud Australian,” Becker said. “He’s represented Australia in Davis Cup and done very well.
“He’s a young man, he’s developing but he’s an unbelievable talent.
“Is he perfect? No. But was John McEnroe perfect? Was I perfect? No.
“Players with a bit of character, a bit of dash, we are different.”
Becker told Fox Sports Kyrgios would regroup from Monday’s savage disappointment to become a Wimbledon champion.
“It’s disappointing. I saw on his face that he’s really, really down on himself,” the former world No. 1 said.
“I’m sure he’ll win this title one day. He’s got the quality, he’s got character, the confidence – borderline arrogance – that you need to play on centre court.
“But he’s been struggling with that hip. He has to fix it, see the right doctors, take some time off, do the right rehab because, bottom line, it’s a wasted Wimbledon.
“Bottom line, he loves tennis, he loves winning. Give him some more time.
“He’s got it all, in my opinion he’s a future Wimbledon champion. He’s got the mentality, he’s got the firepower, he’s got the serve, he’s got the audacity, he’s got the arrogance, he’s got it all. He needs to put it together.”
Kyrgios will consult a London specialist to gauge the true extent of the hip injury.
“Probably get an MRI tomorrow,” Kyrgios said after logging his worst Wimbledon result in four attempts. “Hopefully get an injection or something, do rehab, and get healthy, I guess. I can’t really do anything.
“You know, it’s just a bit unlucky what happened. I mean, yeah, there’s worse things in the world.
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s career- ending or anything like that.”