Nick Kyrgios in full flight at Wimbledon 2022
Like all sport loving Australians I have followed the tumultuous career of Canberra "bad-boy" Nick Kyrgios from the time he burst onto the scene in 2014 at Wimbledon, beating Rafael Nadal in the 4th round. Everyone knew that here was a huge new talent in the tennis world and many were cheerfully predicting that he would win majors at some point in his career.
Nick's extraordinary talent was matched only by his unconventional attitude which quickly turned people against him and led to him under-performing at times. He embraced the controversial, the offensive and the risky. He routinely hit shots back from between his legs which instantly became his signature shot even though it had a low winning percentage. He also reintroduced the surprise underarm serve which was quite effective when the opponent had no idea that it was coming. He argued with chair umpires, talked back to annoying spectators and famously insulted Stan Wawrinka on court about a personal matter. He smashed racquets, turned up tired and played video games. He was routinely abused by media commentators for being immature and fell out with Tennis Australia. Anyone who had had teenage sons would have recognised this pattern of behaviour as normal! But sadly not the powers that be in the media and in the tennis organisations.
Nevertheless, to his credit, Nick continued to play through this shitstorm and although he didn't take the place in the top ten that people had initially expected, he nonetheless took a set of fine scalps, won some tournaments and acquired a sizeable legion of fans. Over time he also toned down his anger and introduced more of his humour into his responses to people. I could see that he had grown up and most of what he said was quite sensible and he was actually quite calm and good hearted beneath it all. There was clearly a good side to Nick that he didn't often show the media.
As I write this he has just made the quarter finals at Wimbledon 2022, displaying awesome power and technique but also offending a number of people along the way including: a chair umpire who didn't discipline Tsitsipas in the manner that Kyrgios imagined would have been meted out to him, Tsitsipas himself who called Kyrgios a "bully" in a post match interview, something that only a mummy's boy would ever do and some reporters who insisted on trying to beat up any story to make Kyrgios appear bad rather than asking him about the tennis match that he had just won.
I felt sympathy for the man who had done nothing more that stand his ground and confront others with their actions. Sure he could have pulled his head in and meekly submitted but why should he? He is an Australian and he showed real Australian spirit in what he did and all Australians should be proud of him. I am a rebel myself and have copped plenty for making stands for what is right myself over the years so I know how it feels.
After writing this poem I was sad and surprised to hear that he had been charged with assaulting his girlfriend 6 months previously. This might cause me to rethink my opinion of him but I will wait to see the facts before I pass any judgement. I understand that Nick Kyrgios is not perfect in the way that society would like and never has been. We all make mistakes and violence is part of male culture. Hopefully Chiara is fine and the matter is at the minor end of the scale.
You think you're smart trying to break my balls,
With your prejudiced views and your arbitrary calls.
But they all come to see me when I turn on my game,
Coz I light up the court while the others are tame.
I don't hate the ump if he does his job right,
So be accurate and fair and we won't have a fight.
But don't ask me to bow or some other stupid farce,
Coz I'm Nick Kyrgios and I don't kiss arse.
Idiot reporter with nothing on the line,
Who told you you could pry into this life of mine?
Insult and irritate me til I lose my shit,
Just so you can say that I'm uncouth and unfit.
It's not my job to stand here for you to dissect,
So keep to the tennis and have some respect.
No, I don't have to put up with your sleazy pitch,
Coz I'm Nick Kyrgios and you can be the bitch.
They told me I could make it and my life would be so keen,
When I won the junior open back in twenty thirteen.
And they said I was fantastic and they boosted my morale,
About a year later when I beat Rafa Nadal.
But the game just ain't that easy and those top 10 cunts are good!
And it really fries your brain when you can't hit them like you should.
Still, there isn't any man who doesn't fear me on the court,
Coz I'm Nick Kyrgios and they know the heat I brought.
They tell me I'm a wog because I drive a muscle car,
But I know that they're just jealous coz it's me that is the star.
I'm proud to be a rebel coz I think for myself,
And their lack of understanding they can put right on the shelf.
I'm a proper person not some manufactured toy,
A genuine Australian, Oi! Oi! Oi!
Go ahead and try to break me but I've really paid my dues,
Coz I'm Nick Kyrgios and I don't always lose!
Warren Mars - July 2022