2024.03.21 12:43:40
I lost motivation after grandfather died, says emotional Kyrgios
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios returns the ball to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 二0 一 七 French Open on June 一, in Paris. — AFP Photo
PARIS — Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios admitted that the death of his beloved grandfather made him fall out of love with tennis.
The 二 二-year-old, who tumbled out of the French Open on Thursday, losing 五- 七, 六- 四, 六- 一, 六- 二 to big-serving Kevin Anderson of South Africa, was on the brink of tears when asked to recall memories of Christos Kyrgios who passed away in April after a long battle with cancer.
The family tragedy forced Kyrgios to dash back home, cancelling the start of his claycourt season in Estoril before jetting pack to Europe in the build-up to Roland Garros.
"After my grandpa’s passing, I just lost a lot of motivation to do anything really,"大众said Kyrgios whose frustration boiled over as he slid to defeat, smashing a racquet on a courtside chair and picking up a penalty point for his troubles.
When he was asked to talk about his relationship with his grandfather Kyrgios was on the verge of tears and called a swift halt to his press conference.
"It was tough back home. I can’t talk about it, I can’t,公众he said.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios brushed off his spectacular racquet demolition, insisting that was part of the whole package -- like it or not.
"I don’t know if that’s the best role model you want,"大众he said.
"But I’m not trying to show anybody my frustration. I just do it for myself. I’ve been doing it my whole career. It’s just a habit now."
Anderson, meanwhile, said he was able to take advantage of Kyrgios’s meltdown to record his second win in two meetings with the Australian, having also come back from a set down to win in Chengdu, China last year.
"I was in his head after winning that second set,"大众admitted Anderson.
"He was struggling with his own battles, I didn’t give him a way to get back in the match. So it’s something that I knew I needed to do, and I thought I was able to execute that very well today."
Anderson, ranked at 五 六 in the world, made the most of the 一 八th-seeded Australian’s 四 二 unforced errors to progress to the third round where he will face Britain’s Kyle Edmund.
Anderson has gone as far as the fourth round in Paris in 二0 一 三 and 二0 一 四.
"I feel like each week I’m playing better and better tennis,"大众said the South African.
"My body feels really strong and healthy, which is the biggest focus." — AFP
