Nick Kyrgios ready for 'extremely important' United Cup mixed doubles: 'The most important thing'
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Updated 18/12/2022 at 11:24 GMT
Australian tennis appears set to kick off its first truly post-Covid schedule at the end of the year, with a number of events ahead of the Australian Open. The United Cup will see countries from around the world compete, and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios is set to compete for his home country. Kyrgios has welcomed the chance to play more mixed doubles.
Kyrgios whips forehand winner during doubles outing with Tsitsipas
Nick Kyrgios is pleased for the chance to play more mixed doubles with the arrival of the United Cup in Australia.
This year’s Wimbledon finalist, who lost to Novak Djokovic, will team up with Ajla Tomljanovic for the tournament in Sydney that starts at the end of December as one of the events to kick off the new year’s campaign.
Kyrgios will represent Australia, who will play Great Britain and Spain in the tournament at the Ken Rosewall Arena on December 29/30 and January 2/3 in the best of five match-ups.
"I don't play so much mixed doubles anymore but what I love about mixed doubles is, it's for the fans. That's the most important thing," Kyrgios said of the event.
"Seeing some of the best females in the world playing with the best males, it definitely provides some really good entertainment, how the male kind of lets the female do her thing on the court and not get in the way.
"That's fun to watch."
Australia’s team will also feature Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler, Maddison Inglis, Zoe Hives, John Peers and Samantha Stosur.
"It's just a great event to have, an event where females and males come together as one to represent their nation," he added.
"That's extremely important. And for the fans. To have all the best athletes from around the world together, I think it's a very special event.
"We don't have very many events during the year where both males and females are in the same spot playing the one event together competing for prize money, a top title and representing your country all in one."
Kyrgios is set to face Rafael Nadal, who will be on the Spanish roster, in a tournament which will take place at venues in Brisbane and Perth, too.
"To be honest, I haven't really played well in Sydney but I'm hoping to change that narrative at the start of the year," Kyrgios continued.
"Just playing in Australia is special. The tour is a long grind and it's rarely in Australia so I'm definitely not going to take it for granted."
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