MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 25, 2022

Nick Kyrgios

Press Conference

N. KYRGIOS/A. Rublev

6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: What were you most pleased with today?

NICK KYRGIOS: I think obviously the way tennis is scored and how quick momentum can change, I was in a bit of trouble early and then, I don't know, I felt like I just played the right way.

He doesn't have a great second serve, and I thought I just played up in the court, I returned really well. I guess when I got that break in the first set, my shoulders opened up a little bit and everything was clicking today.

I mean, I know I'm capable of that. Obviously it's not going to happen every day. It's not realistic to have the tennis you're going to play every day of the week.

You know, I take it as it comes. I know in this sport that you can have a great day, and then you come out the next day and it's not so good. You try and ride the waves.

Obviously I'm extremely happy. Obviously always happy when you play like that, but I know that things can change very quickly. So I'm just going to -- you know, it's just another win for me or another loss. I just take it as it comes.

Q. I heard you speak afterwards on TV and you said you feel happy, relaxed. Is that what it is for you, just to feel that calmness off the court and you can just go do what you do?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I mean, having all that, the rest of your life kind of finding peace and finding happiness I think definitely can come onto the court and help you play your best tennis.

I feel like I'm at that point in my life where, yeah, I'm at peace with everything off the court, and I guess I'm just in the right mindset, you know. Look, it's just one match. I'm not going to say like anything crazy, because, you know, I played my first round, I was very lucky to get through. Played a hell of an opponent.

Today I played great and he may not have played his best. Look, yeah, I'm definitely happy, yeah, but I'm just focusing on doubles tomorrow.

Q. You're saying it's just one match, but there were some outstanding performances last week in Indian Wells. Even the first couple of rounds at the Australian Open. So we have spoken about being totally fit and not having injuries and all that. Does it all come down to that to keep you mentally focused and happy, or is there more to it?

NICK KYRGIOS: I don't know. Look, I definitely worked a lot harder than I did -- I think I probably had the biggest preseason I had ever. You know, I thought I trained as hard as I did, and I'm probably in some of the best shape I have been in for a while.

I could put some of it down to that as well. You know, I'm just in a better space in my family, like I could put it down to a handful of things.

But I think I just know like I have been playing for a long time now. This is nearly my ninth year on tour. I know I'm going to have some weeks where it's incredible, and I know there are going to be some weeks where it's shocking.

So I try and I'm not on that roller-coaster life anymore where I'm really enjoying those highs and almost drowning my sorrows in the lows. I'm kind of riding it all as the same sort of I thing, and I think it's healthier. For me, it's healthier.

Yeah, I have had some great performances. I'm happy with that. I'm not taking anything away from that. But at the same time, it's just tennis at the end of the day. I hit the ball well today in the scheme of things. There is a lot of bigger things happening around the world that should have our attention. So, yeah, I'm happy with the way I played my match today.

Q. Can you tell us a few words about your next opponent, Fabio Fognini?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, it's a tricky one. Definitely probably two of the most unpredictable players on tour. But I played him once. Actually played him in Miami once. I kind of know what his game style is, and I had some success against him.

I'm not going to think about that. I don't think I play tomorrow. I've got doubles tomorrow so I'll just focus on that. Yeah, I mean, looking forward to it.

Q. Yesterday Naomi told us that her serve got better thanks to you. She tried to imitate your serve when you guys are practicing in Los Angeles. So my question is I was wondering if you gave her any tips? And also, in the process, have you ever gone through like a trial-and-error process in order to find the best way for you to serve?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah. Funny story and it's true that my serve is the one thing I have barely practiced in my entire life. You know, I have never really -- you know, at the end of practice sessions, I might roll the arm over for five minutes. My entire three months leading up to Australian Open I probably hit no more than 200 serves.

You know, it's something that comes very naturally to me. My best advice is I told her, I was, like, When you start overthinking on your serve, that's when things start to get complicated.

I think every time you have something in your life that you can control, you should make it your own, have a routine. The serve is the one shot in tennis that you always have complete control over, so just take your time.

I think she started sliding her foot up, and I think that's, in my opinion, a better way to get momentum rather than stepping up. She played great yesterday.

You know, I'm a massive fan of Naomi. I think what she can do for the sport and what she's already done, she's a great champion. I think she's incredible. I think she's going to inspire millions of people.

I get really pissed off when people in the crowd say things and it affects our great champions like that, because she's carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders. She's also a normal human dealing with normal problems as well as carrying the weight of the world.

I want to be first to stand up and say it's not okay. But she's awesome. I want the best success for her. Obviously her ranking is not where it used to be, and I want her to get back to the top. Everyone knows what she's capable of. I'm glad she took the serve out of my book and nothing else (smiling).

Q. A lot was made yesterday about Jenson Brooksby, throwing his racquet and no action was taken against him. You know it's a very emotional game at times. Were you pleased maybe he was allowed to sort of get on with it and apologize and that was that?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I mean, look, I have done plenty of things in my tennis career and in my life that, you know, I think everyone has where they have made a questionable decision, whether it's tennis, whether it's your job, whether it's life, whether it's a relationship, we have all made questionable decisions. No one is perfect.

I'm not one to judge anyone's behavior. But at the same time, yeah, he's a young kid, he's coming up, and I think he's going to have a lot of eyes on him.

I wasn't the best role model growing up on tour, and I don't think at times I am. At times I think I'm a great role model. I think, like everyone knows, he held himself accountable. He knows it's not the right thing to do. I can't see him being a personality where he's going to kind of say, F-you, like it's not-okay-type thing.

I don't think that's the right way to go about it, as well. Obviously it's not right, but he didn't mean it. I don't think he meant any harm.

So he's going to be someone we're going to have to nurture and actually care for in our sport. He's incredibly talented. He's unorthodox. He's my polar opposite I think like on the court, like he's very strange, I guess, to watch but he's awesome.

I don't know. It happens. I think it happens. I'm not saying it's okay, but I think, yeah, like the fact he knows it's wrong, and I don't think -- I can't see him doing it again, to be honest.