daniel chigunwe
Tennis great Andy Roddick believes that controversial Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios (pictured) is just as talented as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Last month, Kyrgios announced when he will return to the court after a two-year absence — and revealed he only wants to spend a very short time in the game before moving on with his life.
Injuries have kept the former Wimbledon finalist sidelined for an extended period, leading many to wonder if the mercurial talent would ever return to the game.
The 29-year-old says he will be back for the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 22.
That will give him ample time to prepare for another Australian Open assault, where he has previously claimed the doubles title alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Roddick, who hasn’t always had the best relationship with Kyrgios, has surprisingly ranked him alongside the so-called Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer when it comes to raw ability.
“He’s one of the only guys I’ve seen that are on par with the Big Three in terms of talent.
“He has that much talent in his hands, in his tennis IQ, the way he sees the game.’
“I would go back in a heartbeat without thinking twice if I could have his game and my ability to take pain.
“We would’ve been a good player.”
Roddick went on to say that he thinks Kyrgios — who is arguably Australia’s most polarising athlete — is good for the sport.
“I wish he was around more often, “Roddick said.
“I’d love to see him in full flight committing to three years of the right decisions. He’s amazing.”
Kyrgios has been working as a commentator during his enforced hiatus from the sport and has previously spoken about his desire to retire early.
But he is coming back with a vengeance, posting a call-out to videographers to document his return and revealing he has a point to prove.
“I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game,” he told News Corp.
“I have beaten pretty much every person that has been put in front of me, made a final of a Grand Slam, won a doubles title in a Grand Slam, won multiple titles and made money.
“But I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. I think that will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day.
“That’ll be my deep motivation.”
Kyrgios has earned a reputation as a firebrand for his combustible nature on court, including being fined US$166,714 by the ATP for a vulgar expletive-filled rage at the Cincinnati Masters and even dragging Hollywood star Ben Stiller into an argument with a heckler.
But the Aussie insists he is misunderstood.
“I guess I was branded that just because I was a bit outside the circle of what a normal tennis player is,” he said.
“I don’t think I carry that perception with the Aussie public anymore. But at the start of my career, people thought I was like a murderer.”
With his return locked in, Kyrgios was also asked about his eventual retirement and his response was very different to the previous times he has hinted at hanging up the racket early.
“I’m far from done, to be honest,” he said.
“I’m in the later stages of my career but I still have one or two years left . . . I’m feeling extremely well.
“I’m hitting for around three hours every day now. My wrist from surgery has completely healed and I’m feeling motivated.” — dailymailsport
Bongani Ndlovu