Nick Kyrgios wants kids around the world to dream big after morphing from a bullied, overweight junior into a Wimbledon finalist.
Kyrgios, of Greek-Malaysian descent, has spoken often about being taunted as a child for being fat and from an ethnic background and took to Instagram on Friday to post a picture of that kid from some 15 years ago.
"Hungry. I was hungry," Kyrgios smiled when asked what he was like at that age.
"Yeah, I think it's just hilarious because, like, I don't think I'm supposed to be someone like me.
"I look at that photo, I grew up in Canberra, the courts I trained on were horrible, and now I'm in the chance to play the Wimbledon final.
"I think it's honestly an inspiration for any sort of kid who's kind of been outcasted or just been surrounded by negative headlines.
"I feel like it's possible, it's still possible to achieve something quite special if you just believe in yourself.
"I never really lost belief in myself. I feel like most people around me at some stage in my life have lost belief that I would ever make a grand slam final, doubted me a little bit in my behaviour or just the way I trained.
"I think everyone, it's safe to say. That's fine they doubted me - but I never lost belief in myself.
"I think that's just a strong message for any kid who doubts himself. Just keep going.
"Look at that photo, I literally look like Manny from 'Modern Family'!"
Despite his overdue foray to a maiden grand slam final at age 27, Kyrgios doesn't want to be burdened with the expectation of carrying the torch for the next generation after the big three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and six-times champion Novak Djokovic, his opponent on Sunday.
World sport's most dominant triumvirate boast an incomprehensible 62 grand slam crowns between them.
Kyrgios says the trio can never be replaced.
"I don't think anyone's able to fill those shoes, to be honest with you," he said.
"We've got a great crop of young players coming up. (Carlos) Alcaraz is unbelievable. (Jannik) Sinner, you saw what he's able to do.
"So many younger guys. Even (Brandon) Nakashima, the way he played this tournament.
"I don't think that myself or those guys are able to fill those shoes.
"We'll never see a competitor like Rafa again. You'll never see someone wield a racquet like Roger, so effortlessly. You'll never probably see anyone who just wins and just plays the game just so good as a winner than Djokovic.
"Once they're gone, I'm not sure."
Kyrgios, who teased about retiring if he won Wimbledon on Sunday, hopes he can be allowed to savour the moment if he beats Djokovic.
"I feel like if I ever am able to lift a grand slam trophy, like, please don't put the pressure on me to do another one. Like, I'm not," he said.
Kyrgios said it would be "a sad day" when Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are no longer playing.
"I feel like humans, we take for granted how good athletes are at times," he said.
"LeBron (James), for instance, in NBA, he's been around for 18 years, 19 years almost, at the top of the sport, and we still criticise him.
"Federer, Nadal, Djokovic - these guys are, like, so rare."
