TRAINWRECK PREPARATION
Nick Kyrgios settled in with movie and tuna curry after hearing he’d be contesting the Wimbledon final
TUNA curry and Netflix.
The muted Wimbledon quarterfinal celebration pointed to a new approach from Nick Kyrgios, who only truly began to believe in his title credentials after his doubles Australian Open glory.
Kyrgios had always doubted the ability of his body to carry him through two weeks of gruelling grand slam matches. And it’s understandable – he’d never done it.
Until he and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis lit up the Australian Open in January, turning Rod Laver Arena into a concert hall as they claimed the title.
Kokkinakis hit the town that night. Kyrgios returned to his hotel, had an electrolyte drink, and went to sleep.
There was a similar vibe when he won through to the semi-final of the game’s oldest tournament this week.
Amid the shock breaking news he had been charged with the assault of his former girlfriend Chiara Passari – he’s alleged to have grabbed her during an argument last December – Kyrgios produced a straight-sets victory over Chile’s Cristian Garin, and returned to the central London house he is sharing with his father, girlfriend and two mates.
The mates enjoyed steaks but Kyrgios stopped eating meat a couple of years ago so he and new girlfriend Costeen Hatzipourganis ate the tuna curry, vegetables and rice prepared by his father.
He’d said in the press conference after the match he may enjoy a glass of red wine. He stuck to water.
Kyrgios has barely touched alcohol this year.
It’s not a booze ban. This is Kyrgios after all – at any moment he may cut loose – but it’s working for now and the temptation isn’t tugging.
Previously, the wine and the “up yours” rhetoric would have flowed freely after such a win under trying circumstances.
Instead, they turned on Netflix. The movie was “Trainwreck”, an apt title given the serious criminal charge of common assault he’ll answer to on August 2 at ACT Magistrates Court.
The movie itself is a lighthearted comedy, with an appearance from LeBron James.
The basketball theme is strong in Kyrgios’ life, and tennis preparation.
When he moved to Sydney “for love” this year, buying a $1.6m Kensington penthouse with Hatzipourganis, he had no close friends in the city. Looking for a basketball game, he went to the King George V recreation centre and started playing with the talented rag-tag crew who gather there most afternoons in between their US college or NBL1 duties.
They didn’t care for Kyrgios’ multi-millionaire, global fame status.
He was now on their court, and they let him know. Kyrgios suddenly felt at home.
For years in Canberra, he’d been surrounded by hangers-on who relished the nightclub VIP booths where their man would drop thousands each night.
Kyrgios played the part. The King of Canberra. The smiling backslappers boosted his ego but there was an emptiness to it all.
He met Hatzipourganis and suddenly the party lifestyle wasn’t so appealing. Then the move to Sydney coincided with the most important moment of his tennis career.
Friends say Kyrgios had always doubted his ability to get through the grind of a fortnight of grand slam matches. He couldn’t do it individually, but his success with Kokkinakis in Melbourne seven months ago transformed his mindset.
He could withstand the rigours to make a final. Doubles are best of three whereas singles are best of five, but no matter, the psychological breakthrough in winning through made Kyrgios a believer in himself.
Kyrgios, serially accused of wasting his talent, raised eyebrows when he declined to play several lead-up tournaments, sending his ranking spiralling. The 27-year-old said he cared not for rankings, and preferred the work-life balance of not travelling eight months a year.
He now hopes to become the first unseeded male to win Wimbledon since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001, and the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
The world No.40 Kyrgios will face either Novak Djokovic or British hometown hero Cameron Norrie in the decider on Sunday.
But such is Kyrgios’ personality – equal parts infuriating and exciting – a large portion of Australia will be cheering his opponent.
Kyrgios was recently asked what he’d like to have achieved when he walks away from tennis.
“I want to be remembered as someone who just did it their way,” Kyrgios said.
“I feel like people of colour, people that have loud personalities, can fit in on the tennis court and do it their way and can achieve some special things.”
He is on the cusp.