ATP: Nick Kyrgios – “Sand court tennis is not real tennis”

Nick Kyrgios starts his preparation on Thursday (local time) at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Atlanta. The Australian sees himself stronger than ever.

Nick Kyrgios is often accused of letting the training work drag on and off the court, relying solely on his amazing talent. In fact, however, the times are long gone as players like John McEnroe got the touch for their individual matches in whimsical double games alongside Peter Fleming.

Kyrgios confirmed this shortly before his first appearance at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Atlanta. There, the 23-year-old is seeded in second place and will play qualifier Noah Rubin on Thursday (local time).

“I am definitely in better shape than four months ago,” said Kyrgios, who has already eliminated Thanasi Kokkinakis in Atlanta. “I’ve worked a lot on my fitness and it’s been a lot of fun. “And I’ve been injury-free for the past few weeks, which was especially important to my elbow.”

A few days in the Bahamas would have helped to reassemble. Especially as the tournament in Wimbledon did not go according to Nick Kyrgios’ ideas. There was Kei Nishikrori’s final stop in the third round.

Which doesn’t change the love of the man from Canberra for lawn tennis. “It’s pure tennis at its best,” says Kyrgios. “You have to be very talented to play on grass. You are rewarded for a good serve and a good return. When you come to the net on grass, you are rewarded. “On any other surface, you will be punished.”

This applies above all to the red ashes – the track with which Nick Kyrgios can do the least. “For me, clay court tennis isn’t really tennis. Creativity is not required at all. It’s all about fitness and who can last the longest. Nothing you need to race on grass matters on sand.”

Here the single tableau in Atlanta