Kyrgios on crusade
THE plight of underprivileged youth will be at the heart of Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open crusade when the Canberran steps into Melbourne Park battle tonight.
Regularly lashed for on- court misdemeanours, Kyrgios is now consumed by the welfare of disadvantaged youngsters, creating the NK Foundation. The 17th seed revealed the desire to provide facilities for struggling children has become a key motivator in his career.
“It’s massive for me to have a foundation like that,” Kyrgios said ahead of his clash with Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva.
“I’ve been wanting to do something like this since I was about 19.
“To have my own place where kids or people could just come or sort of live or pick a sport they wanted to play. Doing well at tournaments obviously is massive. The cash is a big thing to go into the foundation.
“Obviously they’re ( kids) going to be watching and watching me play and that’s going to be motivation for them, I think, whichever sport they chose. To see the person whose foundation is doing well, the culture would be awesome.”
Kyrgios, with his brother Christos, is developing a facility in Melbourne where youth can play tennis, basketball, swim and take shelter.
Outwardly more at peace with himself than ever before, the 22- yearold believes the foundation has given him legitimate purpose – and a foil to smother competitive pressures.
“Basing off one event, I would definitely say it’s helped me,” he said, referring to his spectacular title surge in Brisbane this month.
“But it’s going to be a long year. Definitely in the long run it’s foundation) going to help me.
“I’m not just playing for myself. I’m playing for the whole foundation and everyone who’s kinda helped me that and who’s supported me.
“I’m playing for all of them and I’m sure that’s going to help me on court.
“My brother is the CEO. ( the “He’s doing all the stuff with it. “I’ve definitely partnered with a lot of people to help me with it. And they’ve been so many players and past players that have been supportive.
“Tennis Australia, the ATP have helped. It’s awesome. A lot of people have reached out and said what a good initiative it is.”