Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian known for his unique perspective on the sport, has shared his thoughts on the current state of professional tennis following the recent Grand Slam events. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist provided a striking analysis, offering high praise for women`s champion Iga Swiatek while delivering a characteristically blunt assessment of the men`s game.
When discussing Iga Swiatek`s latest triumph, Kyrgios was unequivocal in his admiration. He framed her victory not just as another title, but as the moment she truly “reached the peak in sports.” Highlighting her status as a multiple Grand Slam winner, Kyrgios went so far as to declare that Swiatek has already “achieved tennis immortality.” This is significant commentary, placing her amongst the greats of the game at a relatively young age. Kyrgios was keen to note that Swiatek is “still in her prime,” suggesting her period of dominance is far from over. He observed her commanding presence on the court and speculated that the immense confidence gained from her recent success could be a major factor heading into the latter part of the season. Looking ahead, he sees her as the “main favorite” for the upcoming US Open, clearly positioning her above other top female players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka in the current hierarchy.
However, Kyrgios`s commentary took a turn when he shifted his focus to the men`s tour. With the kind of unfiltered honesty he`s become known for, he described men`s tennis right now as “pretty boring.” While acknowledging the undoubtedly high “level” of play on display – a nod, perhaps, to the technical skill and athleticism – he feels it lacks the competitive tension and excitement that currently defines the women`s game. Kyrgios pointed to specific matches from the women`s tour, mentioning contests involving Aryna Sabalenka against opponents like Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova, as examples of the “fierce struggle and rivalry” he finds missing in the men`s draw. In his view, this unpredictable, head-to-head combat is fundamentally “what we watch sports for.” It`s a pointed critique suggesting that despite the top-tier talent, the men`s game, for Kyrgios, has become somewhat predictable, lacking the intense, unpredictable battles that capture the imagination of fans.
Kyrgios`s dual analysis, praising Swiatek`s seemingly immortal status while simultaneously critiquing the competitive landscape of men`s tennis, offers a fascinating, if slightly provocative, snapshot of the current tennis scene from a player`s perspective. It underscores his belief that true sporting excitement lies in fierce, unpredictable rivalries, and right now, he appears to be finding more of that on the women`s side of the draw.
Rupert Hartwell 
Adrian Whitmore