Few tennis players divide public opinion in the same way as Nick Kyrgios. A genius to many fans, his fiery temperament has prevented him from reaching his full potential in the minds of others.
The 30-year-old Australian has behaved with a confrontational demeanour during matches for much of his career, with his conduct towards opponents, match officials and the public overshadowing his immense talent at times.
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After a meteoric rise to tennis stardom as a teenager, he has experienced many ups and downs, from his most successful Grand Slam campaign in 2022 to a series of injuries that have threatened to finally end his career.
Despite huge gaps in playing while recovering from surgeries, he has started to make a comeback in 2025 and has announced his intention to compete in the US Open mixed doubles, partnering Japan’s Naomi Osaka, in August.
Early life and career
Born in Canberra, Australia, in April 1995, Kyrgios excelled at both basketball and tennis in his youth. Eventually committing to tennis at 14, his junior career was marked by exceptionally powerful shots. At 16, he was awarded a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport, where he further developed his skills. In 2013, he was the world number one junior player, winning the Traralgon International final in Victoria, Australia, followed by the Australian Open junior final.
In 2014, the 19-year-old, whose world ranking as an adult was 144th, stunned the tennis world by defeating world number one Rafael Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon as a wildcard. The first teenager to beat a top ranking player at a Grand Slam since 2005, his victory led to global recognition that he was one of the sport’s brightest young prospects.
Career defining matches
Following his historic first win at Wimbledon, Kyrgios continued his career with an impressive record against the game’s elite players, compiling multiple victories over the sport’s “big three”: Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Beating Djokovic twice in 2017, both victories in straight sets and on hard courts; Kyrgios’ performance was marked by his trademark intensity. His serve was almost unbreakable during the matches. He also beat Federer in a three set thriller at the Miami Open in 2017, in a match cited as one of the greatest in living memory on the ATP Tour.
Kyrgios’ favourite surface
Kyrgios is most dangerous on grass courts, with his powerful serve, sharp volleys and instinctive shots thriving in faster conditions. This makes Wimbledon a natural venue for his style of play. However, this doesn’t mean he can’t play on hard courts, although his results on clay have been less consistent, due to the surface’s slower tempo and the physical endurance it demands.
Kyrgios has often struggled with fitness, mainly due to his injury history. However, in March 2025, he was delighted to record his first win on a clay court in 1,055 days, beating Mackenzie McDonald in the first round of the ATP Houston. A delighted Kyrgios told reporters, “Clay is obviously not my preferred surface, but I just served really well and started playing more aggressively.”
Nick Kyrgios has never been one to hold back when it comes to voicing his opinions on court conditions: his frustration with playing surfaces is well documented. During a 2015 match against Andreas Haider-Maurer at the Shanghai Masters, he loudly criticised the hard DecoTurf at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, claiming the surface was below standard. His remarks drew attention to the venue’s own approach to tennis courts’ maintenance, and the outburst ultimately earned him a code violation and a £1,100 fine from ATP officials.
In September 2022, Kyrgios became embroiled in a dispute with Tennis Australia, after being made to wait over an hour to train at Melbourne’s National Tennis Centre. Despite its world-class facilities and strict upkeep, including a comprehensive tennis court cleaning routine, the delay led Kyrgios to argue that professionals should be prioritised over amateur players.
Despite controversy on and off the court, Kyrgios’ most successful Grand Slam campaign at Wimbledon 2022 saw him bulldoze his way to the final, maintaining his composure during the tournament. Despite being beaten in four sets by Djokovic, unlike past tournaments, Kyrgios demonstrated discipline and focus throughout the fortnight. At the time, it was hailed as a breakthrough, with commentators and fans saying this was a glimpse of what Kyrgios could be when he was at full fitness and kept his emotions in check.
Rebel with a cause?
Kyrgios’ relationship with the establishment has always impacted his tennis career. He has faced suspensions, fines and public criticism for his conduct, including arguing with umpires and spectators and showing scant regard for the traditional etiquette that is expected. He has criticised what he sees as the outdated traditions and conservative culture surrounding tennis.
While some fans have been alienated by his outbursts, others believe he brings a certain authenticity to the sport and support his refusal to conform. As a result, reaction is always divided on social media following each incident.
Health issues
Kyrgios has been open about struggles with his mental and physical health. In 2022, he revealed he suffered from depression and went through a particularly dark period in 2019. Fans and fellow players saw a more vulnerable side to Kyrgios, while his honesty also raised awareness of the psychological toll that performing at the highest level can take on players.
His many injury woes have led to continual uncertainty about his future at the highest level. Since 2022, he has suffered wrist, knee and foot problems that have limited his participation in the ATP Tour. He was visibly upset following surgery on his right wrist in September 2023 that left him unable to play while he recuperated.
He was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open for two consecutive years and at the time said he didn’t think he would be playing for much longer. Aged 28, he said in an interview he envisaged playing for only “another one to two years”, admitting, “I am tired of playing tennis.” However, having started playing again in 2025 following his enforced absence due to injury issues, it appears he may have changed his mind.
Philanthropy and personal life
For Nick Kyrgios, tennis success at the highest level has enabled him to support causes close to his heart. As well as becoming a prominent voice in the mental health debate, he also supports the NK Foundation, helping disadvantaged young people to gain access to education and sport. This is a side fans and pundits seldom see, as it is overshadowed by controversy. He’s also active in fashion and gaming, with his actions away from the court revealing a socially conscious individual who uses his fame for worthy causes and to support others.
Nick Kyrgios’ next match is expected to be in the mixed doubles at the US Open 2025, as he continues his return to top level tennis. No-one knows whether he will walk away in two years, but his legacy is already in place as both a genius and a rebel.