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Kyrgios Figured Out Why His Career Crashed
10 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Nick Kyrgios was one of the most talented players of the modern era. Some may even say he’s the biggest waste of talent in tennis history.
It would be hard to argue that observation as those who witnessed the immaculate set of tennis that Kyrgios played against Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final. Kyrgios made Djokovic look nearly helpless with one set of tennis genius 64 and then illogically began arguing with his box because he felt they were not cheering him enough. Distracting himself with senseless negativity, the match swung in Djokovic’s favor 36 46 67.
Today, Kyrgios revealed on his Instagram a quote presumably explaining his career flop – he is currently ranked 600 something.
“My problem was that I wanted to take people with me to the top who didn’t even want to see me at the top.”
Some may accept that quote at face value and pity Kyrgios for making poor decisions about the character of his friends and team. Others may surmise he’s just scapegoating a shipwrecked career which really should be in it’s prime. At age 30, Nick should be at his physical and mental best, battling with the likes of Novak, Sinner, Carlos, de Minaur, Ruud, Felix, Musetti, etc. on a weekly basis.
Instead Nick is in obscurity, stuck in ranking quicksand, only able to play ATP Challengers with a wildcard.
The 2022 Australian Open doubles champion (with Thanasi Kokkinakis) tried last year in off season to train harder than he ever has before but his results in early 2025 were insufficient and he vanished from the circuit.
It seems Nick’s confidence and self belief are history. His next event will be a Battle of Sexes circus vs WTA no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka next month. The career as broadcaster got off to a big start in 2024 for BBC and ESPN but both contracts were not renewed for 2025.
There is still time for Kyrgios to dig himself out of the hole he’s buried himself in and associate himself with people who can help guide him in the right direction. If he has the desire and drive to fulfill his potential and play the game on the terms of a champion – not a rebel non-conformist.
Everybody knows Kyrgios is a most formidable battleship … but there is no captain at the controls.
Sam · November 21, 2025 at 2:05 am
My problem was that I wanted to take people with me to the top who didn’t even want to see me at the top.
Did he actually elaborate on who those individuals might be? 😏
Scoop Malinowski · November 21, 2025 at 7:59 am
Sam, of course not, just another creative excuse for underachieving. When all else fails, play the victim card.
Matt Segel · November 21, 2025 at 4:08 pm
I think Nik Krygios as a tennis player is an interesting case study. He was an explosive athlete, creative and had a live arm. He was also a good height for dominant serving.
What happened? I think he was conflicted. He appropriated black American culture and dreamt of being a basketball player and fantasizing about hip hop lifestyle. That’s one aspect.
He enjoyed his status and probably enjoyed female attention and the club lifestyle. That’s two.
Tennis is very physical sport that is especially challenging for big guys and demands a lot in training. Probably more than basketball. I don’t think he enjoyed the grind of training.
I don’t think he enjoyed the tennis scene other than the attention and money.
I remember he would end seasons early for mental health reasons.
That was another aspect. He was super woke.
Big guys seem to have a smaller window where they are injury free. Moving 210lbs around the court is just harder than moving 170. It’s a mileage thing.
When his window was open he probably felt invincible and bulletproof, but probably didn’t evolve or build up his body.
So why not a better career? In my opinion the top guys are fanatics. They all want to win and will deny pleasure to be ready. I don’t think he was that guy. He was an entertainer, happy with fame and money.
That’s okay too. He had a decent career, could have been better, could have been worse.
Steve · November 21, 2025 at 4:10 pm
At the other end of the spectrum with a whole other level of heart and desire, here is Holger Rune already practicing on one leg with major Muster-like vibes;
https://youtu.be/BHz-CE2Fq54?si=npL50jAAiHfOo1Tl
Scoop Malinowski · November 21, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Good analysis Matt, indeed a fascinating study. I will add some more. Phenomenal natural talent, won junior slams, huge weapons. The flaws were the work ethic, the attitude, and inability/unwillingness to make the required sacrifices for tennis greatness. He was more a tennis slacker than scholar. He was too cool to be an honor. He was part John Bender of The Breakfact Club, he just had to be cool. He also had the Jack Sock flaw of complacence, he believed he could float around 10-50 in the rankings on his natural talent, hard training wasn’t necessary. Sock and Nick learned the hard way that their complacence and unprofessional work ethic was their doom and once the game passed them by, it was over for them. Even when they did commit to hardcore training, it was too late. I believe if Nick and Sock had the attitude of Ferrer or Agassi, they would have won multiple majors each. They had fine careers but fell short of what we know they could have achieved.
Scoop Malinowski · November 21, 2025 at 5:45 pm
Saw that Steve and love it, this will help his balance and he will be even better when he gets his second leg back. I think this injury will be a blessing in disguise, as it was for Muster.
Sam · December 1, 2025 at 2:58 am
just another creative excuse for underachieving.
Definitely, Scoop. I mean, it definitely beats “The sun was in my eyes.” 😎
Scoop Malinowski · December 1, 2025 at 7:49 am
Lamest excuse ever. Even beats Federer’s mono excuse about two months after Djokovic beat him at AO. But where was Fed’s mono the round before when he trounced Santoro? )
Sam · December 11, 2025 at 2:24 am
But where was Fed’s mono the round before when he trounced Santoro?
Didn’t ya know? Sometimes mono is real good at hiding! 🫣
Scoop Malinowski · December 11, 2025 at 8:33 am
Or that loss was so devastating for RF he had to cook up some phony excuse months later to discredit Djokovic’s win.