Detractors driving Kyrgios on in grand slam quest

NEW YORK CITY: Intent on defying his detractors, Nick Kyrgios admits he will carry a siege mentality into his US Open fourthround joust with world No 1 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev.

Proving his charge to the Wimbledon final was anything but a flash in the pan, Kyrgios has already exceeded his best run in New York.

But the most polarising figure in tennis craves more and concedes the haters are driving his latest inspired grand slam title tilt.

‘‘As a tennis player, as an athlete, with any profession, you kind of want to be in those moments. Like, I don’t want to be playing futures or challengers on back courts with no crowd,’’ the showman said.

‘‘That’s not why I play this sport. That’s not why I pick up a racquet. I want to be playing on the biggest stadiums in the world in front of millions of people, broadcasted globally.

‘‘That’s where I want to be. That is why I work hard. It makes it even sweeter.

‘‘I know a lot of people don’t want me to succeed. I know a lot of people hate my game, the way I do things, they way I go about it.

‘‘[But] I’m the only Australian still left on the men’s side. It’s the same story every time, literally every time in a grand slam.

‘‘I always thrive on it. I never want to forget all the things people say. I always carry this chip on my shoulder. I have it all in the back of my head when I’m playing.’’

Aside from this US Open campaign and Wimbledon, Alex de Minaur has in fact been Australia’s last man standing at many slams in recent seasons.

Still, whatever works for Kyrgios, who has the opportunity to usurp de Minaur as Australian No 1 with another victory over Medvedev this morning.

The 27yearold can also bump the Russian off his world No 1 perch, with Rafael Nadal poised to return to the top of the rankings if Medvedev loses to Kyrgios.

The winner will face either Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta or Russian Karen Khachanov for a semifinal berth.

Kyrgios also remains in the hunt for a second grand slam doubles crown for the year with Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian Open champions advanced ominously to round three yesterday. — AAP