Nick Kyrgios, renowned for his sharp wit and tennis prowess, wields a biting humor that captivates both on the court and across social media. That very wit recently propelled him into commentary roles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. However, his unfiltered opinions, particularly on doping controversies, ignite fierce backlash, reinforcing his “bad boy” image. “I guess I was branded that just because I was a bit outside the circle of what a normal tennis player is,” he once reflected in October 2024. Unafraid of confrontation, Kyrgios remains a force, especially when facing online trolls.

As the clay season begins, Kyrgios was spotted practicing at Arthur Ashe Stadium yesterday. Wearing a Kobe Bryant t-shirt and exuding confidence, he worked to regain form after a wrist injury scare during Indian Wells. On Instagram, he shared moments from practice and held a Q&A session.

When a follower asked, “Why are you so stupid?” Nick Kyrgios fired back with his trademark humor: “Guess a lot of people like stupid 😂.” His reply highlighted the fan following that keeps him relevant despite setbacks—4.2M followers on Instagram alone.

Remember when former pro and coach Dmitry Tursunov praised Nick for standing out in today’s tennis world, where players often feel pressured to hide their true selves? He explained on the Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast in 2023 that the sport tries to “neuter the emotions out of the sport,” making players afraid to show personality or speak their minds. He said, “You say that ‘I played great today,’ someone’s going to say that, ‘oh, he sounds cocky, he’s putting his opponent down.’ So players in general are just afraid to be themselves.”

Tursunov believes this is exactly why Kyrgios draws massive crowds everywhere he plays. Unlike others, Kyrgios is unapologetically himself. “That’s why I think Nick Kyrgios sells out every freaking stadium that he plays in because he hasn’t been neutered enough. He’s been fined enough, but he doesn’t mind it. He’s a pretty strong personality if you ask me,” Tursunov said.

Kyrgios’ authenticity shines through in his interactions. A fan asked how he stays true to himself daily, and he responded, “Honestly, it took me a long time to learn this, but you can never please everyone. And you only get 1 go at life, so why not do it the way you want? I wake up, and I’m comfortable in my own skin and I know I’m able to do some incredible things in this world. No one else can be Nick Kyrgios 🤷‍♂️ enjoy it!” Time and again, he proves his commitment to being who he is.

However, it’s been a tough stretch for Kyrgios since 2023. The Aussie has barely spent time on the court over the past few years, battling a relentless string of injuries. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, a career highlight, but has missed several Grand Slam tournaments since.

Undoubtedly, the Aussie’s comeback journey has been challenging after wrist and ankle injuries kept him off the court for over a year. Since January, he has faced early exits at Brisbane International, the Australian Open, and Indian Wells but showed promise by reaching R2 in Miami before losing to Karen Khachanov. Despite criticism from fans overlooking his struggles, Kyrgios always has the right words to defend himself.

Nick Kyrgios calls out a fan following his first win after two years

The Aussie made a thrilling comeback at the Miami Open, securing his first victory in over two years. The Aussie defeated Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on March 19, 2025, marking a major milestone after battling wrist and knee injuries that nearly ended his career. “It’s been a long journey, even just to get to the start line of matches and be scared even to finish them,” Kyrgios said. “To come up and get a win and feel like I belong again, it’s pretty special.”

Known for his fiery personality, Kyrgios didn’t hold back when responding to a fan who joked about his winless streak. Sharing a video of the victory, the fan captioned it, “Nick Kyrgios wins a pro tennis match for the first time in 4 years 😂.” Kyrgios clapped back with his trademark wit: “Was 2 years but that’s aight – appreciate the support. Career-ending wrist surgery and came back? Thanks lol – I used to win a fair bit or did you guys forget 😂😴.”

This win was more than just a scoreline; it was a testament to Nick’s resilience. After undergoing wrist reconstruction in 2023 and enduring early exits this year, he proved he still belongs on the tour. All eyes are now on the Aussie as he prepares for the next tournament. Will he overcome all doubts and criticism to make a statement with his skills? Share your thoughts in the comments below!