Nick Kyrgios 'knocking on door' of Grand Slam joy, can win 2023 Australian Open – Andy Murray
:focal(136x152:138x150)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/11/13/1731704-36632322-310-310.png)
Updated 11/01/2023 at 11:12 GMT
Nick Kyrgios is among the favourites to win the men’s singles title at the Australian Open, along with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. Kyrgios is finally making good on his undoubted promise and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, losing in four sets to Djokovic. Andy Murray is tipping him to challenge for the title on home soil, but concedes “it’s not going to be easy”.
'They always want more' - Kyrgios on pressure heading into Australian Open
Nick Kyrgios is “knocking on the door” of winning his maiden singles major and is in contention to triumph at the 2023 Australian Open, according to former world No. 1 Andy Murray.
Kyrgios enjoyed a brilliant 2022, winning the men’s doubles title in Melbourne alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis and reaching the Wimbledon final. He also knocked out defending champion Daniil Medvedev at the US Open.
After Ashleigh Barty ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a home singles champion, Kyrgios is hoping to match those exploits by winning at the Australian Open.
And Murray, a five-time runner-up at the opening Grand Slam of the season, insists it is a title within his grasp.
“Last year he won the doubles here and then had a great run at Wimbledon as well,” said Murray. “He was really close and he wasn't that far away at the US Open either.
“He's been knocking on the door the past couple of Slams and hopefully he has a good preparation and everything to give himself the best chance.
“He can do it but it's not going to be easy.”
Kyrgios is one of the biggest draws in tennis right now, with his upcoming exhibition match with Novak Djokovic selling out in just 58 minutes. Over 14,000 fans will cram into Rod Laver Arena for a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon final, which saw the Serb fight back to win in four sets.
The 27-year-old, somewhat predictably, used the ticket sales to take a swipe at his critics.
“Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport! Wow what a disgrace, a national embarrassment! How dare he sell out another stadium, the arrogance,” he wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Murray insists he has no “timeframe” on retirement after battling to his first win of the season.
Murray, 35, rallied to beat world No. 97 Zhang Zhizhen 2-6 6-3 10-2 at the Kooyong Classic exhibition event.
"I still love hitting tennis balls, I'm fortunate I'm able to do it at a high level, it's not the level that it was five or six years ago but... I love the sport,” he said.
"I've been healthy the last seven months. I'm not awakening with aches and pains like in the last few years.
"As long as the body holds up well and I'm training properly and performing to a level I'm enjoying, then I will keep going. But I don't have a timeframe [for retirement]."
The Australian Open gets underway on January 16.
- - -
Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement