Nick Kyrgios has been criticised for his actions with tennis icon John McEnroe insisting the Australian’s antics are ‘not good for the sport’.
The 27-year-old had enjoyed the best run of form of his career, winning the Citi Open in both singles and doubles while also reaching the Wimbledon final - his first Grand Slam final. The world no.26 went on to lose to Djokovic in an engrossing final as the Serb claimed his 21st Grand Slam title with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory.
Kyrgios carried his grass-court form into the North American hard-court season, triumphing in Washington while also impressing at the Canadian Open. He reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, defeating World No.1 Daniil Medvedev in the process.
The Australian, who is seeded at a major tournament for the first time sine the 2020 Australian Open, is set to meet Medvedev in the Fourth Round of the US Open - the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. Kyrgios has impressed in the tournament so far thanks to wins over Thanasi Kokkinakis, Benjamin Bonzi and J.J. Wolf.
McEnroe is a big fan of Kyrgios when he is focused and performing at his talented best, but the American is concerned. The seven-time Grand Slam champion feels Kyrgios often lets himself down with his attitude on the biggest stage and suggested the 27-year-old too often decides to ‘mail it in’.
“Each time he does something I go, ‘Did I do that?’” McEnroe told the Los Angeles Times. “I like Nick as a person. I think he’s a smart kid.
“He moves the needle. I think the players like him. A lot of fans like him. There’s a lot of talk about him. He’s an incredible talent.
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“Almost all athletes have that fear of failure, and the question is not whether or not you have that. It’s how you handle it. Can you go out there and consistently give the effort that’s expected of a professional athlete who’s getting rewarded handsomely for their services?
“That’s the only issue that I’ve had with Nick over the years. I tried to model myself after [Jimmy] Connors, giving that type of effort. How hard did I try? Did I give it my best?
“And I think for the most part I feel like I did that, and I feel too often Nick just mails it in. And that’s just not good for him or good for the sport.”
