“My First Love Was Basketball”: Nick Kyrgios Says He Doesn’t Love Tennis Like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has revealed why he believes he is in the latter stages of his career despite being only 26.

During a press conference ahead of his third-round battle with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, Kyrgios was reminded of a recent interview where he had said that he is in the twilight of his career and might not be around for too long.

Upon being asked why he thinks he is in the latter stages of his career when Roger Federer is still going strong just shy of 40 and his Big 3 peers Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are peaking at their mid-thirties, Kyrgios said he perhaps doesn?t love the sport as much as the ?legends? do.

He added that while the Big 3 are simply obsessed with tennis and cannot imagine their lives outside of the game, his ?first love? had always been basketball.

Nick Kyrgios says he wasn’t able to chase his basketball dream

?I definitely don?t love the sport as those legends do. I feel like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, they wouldn?t be able to live without tennis. That?s like their first love. For me, my first love was basketball, and I wasn?t able to chase that dream,? the maverick Aussie said.

Currently ranked 60th in singles, the Aussie said he doesn?t wake up in the morning with the thought of straining his guts on a practice court and improving his tennis.

He said unlike the Big 3, it?s a thought that doesn?t come naturally to him.

?I definitely don?t have that waking up every day, coming so easily like wanting to get better, what would I like to do today, every time I step on court, like looking to improve. I don?t have that, (it) doesn?t come as easily to me,? Kyrgios said.

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic didn’t reach same heights as he did early in their careers: Kyrgios

The burly Australian from Canberra added that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic probably didn?t reach the same heights as he did in the initial stages of their careers and, hence, feel that they have more to achieve in the sport.

Watch This Story: Wimbledon Championship 2021 Funny Interviews: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray, Venus Williams

He said the pressure of dealing with early success and expectations hasn?t pushed him close to retirement but has corroded the love he had for the sport starting out.

?I don?t think they dealt with such, especially earlier on, such height in their career, which for me, I wouldn?t say has driven me out of the game but it?s just like put a massive chip on my shoulder,? Kyrgios said.

Read More: “OK With Not Winning Grand Slams”: Nick Kyrgios Reflects on Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s Success

The Aussie opened his All England campaign with an epic five-set win over Frenchman Ugo Humbert and followed it up with a takedown of Italian Gianluca Mager in straight sets to reach the third round.