As the grass-court season unfolds, tennis fans around the world eagerly watch players glide and slide across the lush green surface, showcasing their unique skills. Among them, Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis maverick, has emerged as a formidable force on grass courts.
In a recent interview, Kyrgios shed light on the Aussie dominance on this surface and drew inspiration from none other than the legendary Roger Federer. With his unpredictable on and off-court style, Kyrgios provided a fair insight into why Aussies continue to excel on grass.
Nick Kyrgios’ insight on grass court mastery
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According to Kyrgios, the key to success on grass lies in the ability to embrace unpredictability and adapt to the challenges the surface presents. Notably, the Australian was the finalist at last year’s Wimbledon Championships.
The 28-year-old emphasized the importance of mastering a variety of shots, including volleys and slices. He explained that since the bounce on grass courts is not the best, one has to be able to slice and do drop shots more often. It is this mastery of intangibles that sets grass-court specialists apart and allows them to thrive amidst the surface’s unique demands.
Australia has a strong connection to grass-court tennis. In the past, the Australian Open used to be played on grass until they switched to hard courts in 1988. They draw inspiration from this heritage, which motivates them to perform exceptionally well on grass courts. We’ve already seen impressive displays from Australian players like Jordan Thompson and Alex de Minaur in the early stages of the grass-court season. They reached the finals of the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships and the Queen’s Club Championships, respectively
The Federer Factor
Kyrgios drew a compelling parallel between the Australian players’ success on grass and Roger Federer’s timeless mastery of the surface. Kyrgios stated, “I think you look at some of the best grass-court players in the world, someone like Roger (Federer) was so good because he was able to adapt and hit so many different shots.”
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Kyrgios also attributed the Aussies’ success on grass to their resilient and tenacious nature. He remarked, “I think Aussies don’t mind getting a bit dirty and trying to find different ways to win.” Growing up playing national tournaments on grass from an early age, Australian players developed a deep familiarity and comfort with the surface.
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As the next generation of Australian talent emerges, we can expect them to carry forward the rich legacy and continue making their mark on grass courts across the globe.
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