Nick Kyrgios is not lacking in confidence for the Australian Open as he considers himself a title contender at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios, ranked 21st in the world, finished as runner-up at Wimbledon last year and also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open.
After strong back-to-back Grand Slam runs at Wimbledon and the US Open, Kyrgios is hoping to do big things at the Australian Open. “I am one of the best players in the world, so I am definitely going to go to the Australian Open, to any tournament, with confidence.
It’s a little different this time [with me] still one of the favourites. I’m usually a dark horse guy, but now obviously after the year I’ve had I’m a favorite so it’s a new thing for me as well.
This is the first time I’ve genuinely gone into a slam feeling like one of the guys who can actually take the trophy and knock on the door. I don’t know what I’m going to feel when I get out.
Usually I have nothing to lose and just do one show, but I have to really try to find that balance. Fourteen days to win one of these things is not easy. Obviously, I’m capable, but many other people are too,» Kyrgios said, according to eurosport.
Who is Kyrgios playing in the first round of the Australian Open?
In the first round of the Australian Open, Kyrgios drew with world number 98 Roman Safiullin. If Kyrgios were to beat Safiullin, he would play Richard Gasquet and Ugo Humbert.
At the Australian Open, Kyrgios was once in the quarterfinals. In 2015, Kyrgios reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before losing to Andy Murray. The last time Kyrgios made the second week at the Australian Open was in 2020, when he reached the round of 16 before losing to Rafael Nadal. It remains to be seen how far Kyrgios can go at this year’s Australian Open.
