It may be winter in Australia, but it’s summer in England – which for many, means Wimbledon.
The Wimbledon Championships are once again in full flow with the best tennis players around the world on both the ATP and WTA tours descending on the All England Club in London.
There’s just something special about Wimbledon; the green grass, the famous spectators and the white outfits competitors wear all add to what makes Wimbledon the greatest grand slam of them all.
This year’s edition has already served up some shock results – none bigger than Novak Djokovic’s third round exit to big-serving American Sam Querrey
That result automatically made this year’s men’s title a much more open race, with Brit Andy Murray and Roger Federer both licking their lips at the prospect of not having to face the champion Serbian later on in the draw.
This is not to include other names such as Canadian Milos Raonic who is also ready to pounce on his first grand slam title.
Djokovic’s early exit has also given more hope to Australian Bernard Tomic; and of course Australia’s other enigma, Nick Kyrgios.
Whilst Tomic is capable of making a deep run in Wimbledon, and possibly challenging for a grand slam, most people know that if Australia is to reach Wimbledon success anytime soon, it is more likely to come through Kyrgios.
Whether you love him or loathe him, he’s good at tennis; and he’s the most talented Australian to grace the grass surface at Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt lifted the Wimbledon Crown in 2002.
It’s a hugely defining time in Kyrgios’s career, with his attitude and on-court outbursts possibly the only aspect of his game that may prevent him from reaching his uncapped potential.
After only a few years in the spotlight, Kyrgios already has a showcase of highlights.
Some are of the brilliant points he has won and the ripping forehands he seems to be able to crack from anywhere on the court.
Others are of derogatory comments made toward umpires and opponents when in the heat of battle, 90% of which have just been plain unacceptable.
For a young player with arguably the world at his feet, it’s disappointing that his attitude on a tennis court causes so much controversy.
Australian’s love a competitor, and they love someone who fires up in the moment but there is no room for ill-natured comments such as what was said toward Stan Wawrinka last year.
The 21 year-old firebrand from Canberra doesn’t seem to allow the mental battles he faces on-court dismantle his game however, and whether he can achieve the ultimate on just pure ability without altering how he carries himself on the court remains to be seen.
Has Kyrgios won the respect of the tennis world? Probably not. Roger Federer may be a good reference point when asking that question.
Never has there been a player you can acknowledge and appreciate one minute, then gasp at and criticise the next; perhaps this is what makes Kyrgios as an individual so interesting and entertaining, he’s certainly fantastic for selling newspapers.
Kyrgios faces yet another huge task in the next few hours in the fourth round at the All England Club, facing a determined Andy Murray who is yet to drop a set in 2016’s Wimbledon Championships.
If he is to advance from the round of 16 many Australian’s could have reason to believe this could be the year Kyrgios makes his deepest run yet in a grand slam.
If things aren’t quite going to plan, however; something else can be expected from Kyrgios’s game in the early hours of tomorrow morning – and if so, let’s just hope it doesn’t end in a fine.
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