NICK KYRGIOS says he’s enjoying his tennis again following a tough battle with depression.
The Australian ace, 26, booked his spot in the third round of Wimbledon with a win over Gianluca Mager and will now face Felix Auger Aliassime on the grass of SW19.
And Kyrgios reckons he’s in a good place to go far after easing the pressure on himself.
The hothead has frequently been on the receiving end of abuse from fans for his cavalier approach to the game.
But Kyrgios believes taking the pressure off himself has made the world of difference for his mental health – and fans’ opinion of him.
The Canberra star hadn’t played in five months prior to Wimbledon and hadn’t played outside of Australia since January 2020 due to coronavirus.
But Kyrgios is thrilled to be back in London, confessing: “Yeah, it’s just been awesome.
“I feel like the public and the crowds have really embraced me and really enjoyed me being back.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot to offer for this tournament… I don’t put as much pressure on myself any more.
“When I was younger, it was hard to deal with all the criticism that the media gave me, that everyone gave me.
“‘He should be doing this, he should be achieving this. He’s not doing this enough.’
“It beat me down to a point of very bad depression. I wasn’t even coming to Wimbledon and enjoying myself.
“I was not embracing this amazing event. I wasn’t embracing having another day.
“Now I just enjoy it when I’m out there. I breathe in the fresh air. Like, I don’t take anything for granted.”
Kyrgios continued: “I just feel like I’m comfortable, just enjoying, like it’s Wimbledon.
“People love Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon. I love seeing the crowd. Just the smell of it.
“I just don’t put that much pressure on myself any more. I’m OK with that. I’m OK with not winning Grand Slams.
“I know that’s going to make a lot of people angry. ‘He should be doing this.’
“But I shouldn’t, though. It’s not your life, it’s mine. I’m OK with just enjoying myself, putting on a show.”
Kyrgios went on to say not everyone can be a generational talent like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic or Rafa Nadal – saying they’re more like ‘gods’ than ‘normal’ men.
The Aussie concluded: “Not everyone can be a Federer or Djokovic.
“These are, like, once-in-a-decade athletes that, like, inspire millions of people.
“Like, they’re just gods. I see them as that, too.
“You have to have some people, I believe, that are relatable, that people can bring other fans to watch, like people that are just normal. I feel like I’m one of those people.
“Not everyone can be a Federer, a Djokovic or a Nadal. I’m Nick Kyrgios. I know who I am.”
