© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Nick Kyrgios suggests there are certain similarities with John McEnroe but that there are also things in which they are not really the same. McEnroe, a former seven-time Grand Slam champion, is one of the most iconic players in tennis history with his game and rebellious personality.
Kyrgios, 28, has been often compared to McEnroe due to his heated temper and ability to throw a stunning meltdown or an outburst on the court but also play outstanding tennis. Kyrgios may not be a Grand Slam champion right now but he has been to a Slam final and he has pretty much beaten all top players.
All in all, when at his best, Kyrgios is one of the best in the game and his matches never fail to deliver entertainment and excitement.
McEnroe on being compared to McEnroe
“I don’t think I’ve ever been defaulted from a match.
He broke all his rackets and had no rackets to play with (during a match) and had to get defaulted. So I don’t think I’ve ever done that. I’ve walked off the court. When me and Jonny Mac first met at Laver Cup, he was Team World captain and I was like Team World’s camaraderie captain in that sense.
We didn’t know how it would be, but we sat down and had dinner together and realised we are pretty similar. We are just trying to be ourselves. We are just trying to be original and authentic. He was surprised that I was intellectually switched on, so he doesn’t try to give me advice.
He knows I am pretty switched on,” Kyrgios said on Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV. Meanwhile, McEnroe is an admirer of Kyrgios. After Kyrgios ended as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, McEnroe applauded the Australian’s run.
At the time, McEnroe also said it would be absolutely great for tennis if Kyrgios figured out a way to consistently make deep runs on the biggest stage.
