Between genius and madness
That’s why Kyrgios is “untrainable” for ex-coach
Nick Kyrgios (27) made it into the Wimbledon final (Sunday, 3 p.m.) without a coach. It’s probably better that way, say the protagonists from both sides.
He doesn’t want to, the others can’t. Nick Kyrgios (ATP 40) has been on the tennis tour without a coach for many years. “That would be money thrown out the window,” said the extroverted Australian in a podcast two years ago.
The 27-year-old is not entirely alone at the games. Currently in Wimbledon he is supported in the player box by father Giorgos, sister Halimah, girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, manager Daniel Horsfall and physio Will Maher. But just: A sports coach is missing in the list.
It’s better that way, Kyrgios is convinced: “No one knows my tennis better than I do,” he says. He just doesn’t like to listen to advice.
One who knows the current Wimbledon finalist very well can only confirm that: Joshua Eagle (49), ex-coach of Kyrgios between 2014 and 2015.
Eagle gives insight into time with Kyrgios
“He didn’t listen to me – and he wouldn’t listen to anyone else,” Eagle told Eurosport. The coach is a compatriot of Kyrgios and was once a tennis player himself.
Eagle remembers the rollercoaster ride as a Kyrgios coach: “Every day with Nick is different. You never know what you’re gonna get. There is pure brilliance, and then complete disappointment on other days.” Just as you know Kyrgios on the tour.
On the one hand, the tennis genius, who reached the Wimbledon final without a coach and took on Novak Djokovic (35, ATP 3) on Sunday (3 p.m.). On the other hand, the tennis bully, who had to pay twice on the way to his biggest game of his career at Wimbledon. There was a fine each after his spitting attack and after the verbal failure in the scandal match against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Genius or madness on Sunday?
“He’s so talented that he could have won three, four, five Grand Slams,” said ex-coach Eagle. Maybe title number one will come to the palmarès of Kyrgios this Sunday. (str)
