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Nick Kyrgios: From Contender to Sideshow?

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that paying attention to Nick Kyrgios is only justifiable when he achieves something noteworthy. Upsetting world number one Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon as a teenager in 2014? Remarkable. Reaching the Wimbledon final eight years later? We all stayed up to watch. Winning the Australian Open doubles with his mate Kokkinakis that same year? Thanks for the fun ride.

but skulking on the sidelines under a hoodie or lobbing grenades on social media? Pass. taking on Aryna Sabalenka in yet another “Battle of the Sexes” match? It feels a bit sad, really. You could have been a contender, Nick. For a while there, you were a contender. Now, your in danger of being typecast as Sideshow Bob.

Kyrgios’ talent has never been in question. It’s the application of it. He possesses a serve that, at its best, is virtually unreturnable, and a touch around the net that’s genuinely delightful. he can, and has, beaten the vrey best. But these moments are becoming increasingly infrequent, overshadowed by controversy and self-sabotage.

One might suggest that Kyrgios craves attention, and perhaps that’s true.Though, there’s a difference between seeking attention through brilliant tennis and seeking it through manufactured drama. The former earns respect; the latter, well, it just feels a little… desperate.

It’s frustrating to watch. He’s a player who could genuinely challenge for Grand Slam titles