“I’m going to play at Roland Garros 2023.. although I would have preferred to stay at home” – Kyrgios

The Australian’s last appearance at the French Open came in 2017

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi after practice at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships Image Credit: AI/Reuters/Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

December 11, 2022

After reaching his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon this year, Nick Kyrgios has made no bones about his desire to win a Grand Slam. The Australian has also added Roland-Garros to his schedule for 2023, a tournament he last played in 2017. But Kyrgios’ decision to play in Paris is not purely driven by his desire to succeed at the Grand Slam stage.

Speaking to the press in Saudi Arabia where he competed in the lucrative Diriyah Tennis Cup this week, Kyrgios said his girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi, who has been on the road with him all of this season, is keen to see Paris, which is why he will play in the clay court Grand Slam after a six-year break.

“My girlfriend wants to know Paris, so I’m going to play at Roland Garros 2023, Kyrgios said. “It will be good for me to earn some more money, although I would have preferred to stay at home.”

“There are too many clay-court tournaments on the calendar” – Kyrgios

Despite his few appearances on clay in recent years, Kyrgios is confident that he can beat the best on the surface as well. “I know I can do great results on clay; I beat Roger, Wawrinka, I played a final in Estoril… My girl wants to get to know the city so I will have to go this year.”

The Australian, who has often criticized the ATP Tour for having too many tournaments on clay, reiterated that point this week, saying that there were several top 100 players who he himself would not recognize but the only reason they are ranked so high is because of the extensive clay court schedule.

“I’ve said it many times and I’m saying it again now,” Kyrgios said. “There are too many clay-court tournaments on the calendar. I see guys in the top-100 that I don’t even know, I wouldn’t recognize them if I crossed them on the street, and they’re there only because of the clay tournaments. I think it’s crazy.”