KIND-HEARTED BRAT AN INSPIRATION IN THE WORST OF TIMES

AS the new year begins with the eastern states burning and distressing and terrifying images filling our screens and newspapers, it’s our supposed tennis brat, rather than our Prime Minister, who has stepped up and shown the kind of compassion, kindness and leadership we need right now.

Nick Kyrgios proposed a tennis exhibition match to raise money for those impacted by the bushfires, with the 24-year-old pledging $200 per ace that he hits across the Australian summer of tennis. Taking his lead, Alex de Minaur, Sam Stosur, Priscilla Hon, John Millman, John Peers, Storm Sanders and Ellen Perez have also joined the cause and are encouraging their peers to do the same.

That simple, compassionate act has given us another glimpse into the real Nick Kyrgios.

It’s true that for too long he’s often behaved like a total idiot on court with a series of meltdowns, smashed racquets and disrespectful outbursts towards officials.

It’s also true that he’s been petulant and rude in postmatch press conferences and, even worse, he’s been accused of the ultimate Aussie sin: giving up.

But the enigmatic Kyrgios, who is ranked 30 in the world, gets up the goat of sports fans and mainly because he’s oozing with talent that, at times, he seems determined to waste. Kyrgios is gifted, but it seems that too often he gets caught up in his own stuff and is yet to really scratch the surface of his mercurial, limitless potential.

But that’s not the whole man. Off court, Kyrgios has plenty of form and a long history of doing good.

He’s established his own foundation which provides and develops sporting opportunities for underprivileged youth and he plans to develop a facility in Melbourne that will include tennis and basketball courts, a pool, gym and dorms which will offer refuge to children who don’t have access to sport. Building is already under way.

Kyrgios has also enjoyed a long affiliation with Camp Quality. In 2018, it was revealed that before critical games he was hitting the court with sick children, giving them an experience, and memories, of a lifetime. What’s significant is that those actions

were always kept quiet, away from the public eye.

When asked about his work before a Davis Cup match, Kyrgios told reporters he didn’t expect to get a pat on the back for it.

“I do it because I want to and because I’m in the position to do it, but never for public recognition,” Kyrgios said.

Last year, he even helped a woman push her brokendown car home before posing for an obligatory selfie.

There seems to be a new sense of maturity around Kyrgios. He says on his website that for the first time, he feels like there is a reason for what he is doing.

“Tennis is a great life – we are well paid and the perks are pretty good but it can feel pretty empty if you’re just doing it for the money. I now know what it’s all for. When I work on it (the foundation) I cast my mind forward to all the disadvantaged kids I will be helping. I’m playing for them now.”

I’m the first to admit that for years, Kyrgios seemed to me to be just a huge irritation. I’ve ranted and raved about him on air, in conversation with friends and on social media.

But I reckon we get so annoyed with him because we care, because we know what he is capable of at his brilliant best, we know that in his heart he’s a good bloke and we’re frustrated that he seems to be his own worst enemy.

But in a horrific week for our country, one where our hearts have collectively sunk and we all want to help those impacted by the fires but feel helpless, Kyrgios’s kindness and initiative has been not only touching but inspirational.

As he says, he chooses to help others because he can and wants to. He can also choose to fulfil his potential and be the best tennis player he can possibly be.

He’s always done plenty for others. May 2020 be the year he also does something for himself.