by Andrew Eichenholz
Nick Kyrgios had never stepped on a grass court for a tour-level event before he arrived at SW19 last year. A tight four-setter against an unheralded opponent earned him his first win at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Beating some guy named Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16 stole the tournament’s spotlight. But, neither are the reason that the young Australian has a chance to make another Grand Slam run this fortnight at The Championships, Wimbledon.
Playing Frenchman Richard Gasquet, a junior sensation turned more-than-solid professional, Kyrgios was against the ropes. Down two sets to none, he was not too far from going down with a solid first round win for his No. 144 ranking, but leaving without making much of an overall impact on the tournament.
Kyrgios would not go down without a fight.
Today, he has become known for his energetic personality, for lack of a better term. His flashiness comes out through both his racket and his emotions, time and time again. But, it was his grit and toughness that propelled him into the eye of the media, before taking out the former champion, Nadal.
Grit is mandatory for any tennis match on the pro tour, forget being down by two sets to one of the most talented players in the world at the most storied tournament in the sport. Saving a match point takes a special kind of grit, a scrappiness that shows an opponent that the only white towel being thrown around is the one being swiped at beads of sweat.
Nobody would have held it against Kyrgioa if he succumbed to who many probably thought was the better player. Nine times he faced the boot. Nine times he answered the call. In a five-set extra timer, the Australian could have used all his gas just to reel Gasquet in. At 6-6 in the fifth, it was anybody’s game.
The refusal to lose continued, as Kyrgios closed it out, 10-8 in the final set in possibly the most important match of his career.
Beating the Frenchman proved to the world that he is more than just a talented flash in the pan. He wants to win, even if it takes fighting tooth and nail when the outlook is not bright.
Over 100 spots higher in the rankings, one of the most exciting players in tennis returns to where he broke through. The talent is clear, but it is that grit that leaves the ceiling for Kyrgios’ chances that much higher this time around.
