“I’m at peace with everything off the court” Kyrgios translates off-court happiness into on-court success

After his straight-sets win over fifth seed Andrey Rublev, Nick Kyrgios next meets 31st seed Fabio Fognini for a spot in the round of 16 in Miami

Kyrgios_Miami_2022 Image Credit: Tennis Majors

Haresh Ramchandani

March 26, 2022

Miami Open 2022: Men’s Singles Draw | Results | Order of Play

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios says he is at peace and is happy in his personal life, which has helped him play great tennis on the court in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old has displayed some electrifying tennis and appeared fitter and more motivated in 2022, reaching the second round of the Australian Open (lost in four sets to world No 2 Daniil Medvedev) and the quarter-finals at Indian Wells (lost in three sets to Rafael Nadal), besides teaming up with countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title.

Kyrgios has continued his stellar play in Miami this week and on Friday, he was super impressive in a 6-3, 6-0 upset win over world No 7 Andrey Rublev, who had entered Miami with an 18-3 record in 2022 which included a 13-match inbeaten streak.

Spekaing after his win, Kyrgios said his stability off the court has had a direct impact on his performance on the court, but refused to read too much into Friday’s big upset.

“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 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.”

Besides his off-court happiness and stability, Kyrgios also put his recent good run to hard work over the pres-season, saying he worked harder during the off-season than he ever had in the past.

“Look, I definitely worked a lot harder than I did — I think I probably had the biggest preseason I had ever. 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. I’m just in a better space in my family, like I could put it down to a handful of things.”

I’m kind of riding it all as the same sort of I thing: Kyrgios on dealing with wins and losses after all these years

Kyrgios, who next meets 31st seeded Fabio Fognini for a place in the last 16, added that he is trying to maintain an equilibrium about his results rather than getting too excited about his wins and feel too low about his losses.

“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.”

“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.”