I’m a Bit Younger Mentally”: Nick Kyrgios Talks About His Revived Form at Indian Wells 2022

Nick Kyrgios was out of the tour since the Australian Open. Reason? Delayed recovery from a knee injury he suffered last year. However, having recovered completely, the Australian has made a roaring comeback at the Indian Wells. The World No. 132, who entered the Indian Wells draw as a wildcard entrant, has already made a mark, winning the first-round match.

Kyrgios outplayed Sebastian Baez 6-4,6-0 in the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament. The Aussie player entertained the fans with his performance and expressed how he felt, coming back on the tour. Post his victory, Nick spoke about his knee, pointed out that he is feeling extremely healthy. The 26-year-old, who recently suffered a low patch in his singles career, also expressed that he is feeling fresh, as well as younger mentally.

“I’m just in a different mindset,” The 26-year-old wild card said after his victory. “I feel like I’m a bit younger mentally, I feel fresh again, and obviously I’m healthy again with my left knee – I feel like I’m playing some pretty good tennis,” he said.

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Kyrgios prefers the positive side of his Australian Open singles loss

Kyrgios’s run in the singles draw of the Australian Open was not as good as he might have expected. In the first round, he faced Liam Broady, beating him in straight sets. Following the win, he set up a second-round clash with the top-seed, Daniil Medvedev. The two produced some fine quality tennis. Even though the two stood at 1-1 after the second set, it was Medvedev who won the match in four sets.

Despite losing in the second round of the singles competition, he preferred to see the positive side of the situation and spoke about it after his first-round match at Indian Wells.

He said, “Honestly, I thought I put in some great performances at the Australian Open, went toe-to-toe with the best player in the world [Daniil Medvedev] and had chances, so honestly I feel good.”

Nick Kyrgios eyeing to repeat the Australian Open Doubles at Indian Wells

Nick Kyrgios appears to be in terrific form at Indian Wells. Beating Baez in the first round, Kyrgios will now play the 32nd seeded, another Argentine, Federico Delbonis. In their only clash so far on the ATP tour, Kyrgios edged past Delbonis in five sets at the Australian Open in 2015.

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Jubilated with his victory in the singles opener, Kyrgios is looking forward to his doubles opening round match. He will partner his compatriot, Thanasi Kokkinakis in the doubles fixture. The duo went on to win the Australian Open men’s doubles crown earlier this January.

“Now I’m going to enjoy some doubles tomorrow with Thanasi [his partner Kokkinakis], and just vibe, honestly,” Kyrgios said. “I’m just excited for dinner tonight and taking nothing for granted,” he further added.