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Australia’s Nick Kyrgios celebrates a point against Netherland’s Robin Haase in their men’s singles second round match on the fourth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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Australia’s Nick Kyrgios celebrates a point against Netherland’s Robin Haase in their men’s singles second round match on the fourth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Playing his first match outside Australia in over a year, Nick Kyrgios delivered a statement on his return. It seemed like Nick had never been away, as he immediately returned to his booming forehands and wily underarm serves. In another blockbuster encounter similar to the thriller in Australia earlier this year, Kyrgios and French prodigy Ugo Humbert played out a five-setter before play was called off for going beyond the deadline time of 11:00 PM.
Nick Kyrgios shows no signs of lack of match practice
The Australian was shifted to Court-1 after a rescheduling, meaning that there was a larger Wimbledon crowd for him to entertain. Kyrgios mistimed a couple of backhands in the onset of the match and was broken early. The lingering question now was if Kyrgios’ decision not to play any tournaments before Wimbledon would come back to haunt him. On the contrary, this only rocketed his momentum as the resolute 26-year-old broke right back. From here on, normal services resumed for Nick. He did drop his level a tad bit after snatching the opener; but he was making more first serves, painting the lines and reaching all parts of the court in a flash.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns a shot against Robin Haase of Netherlands during their Men’s Singles second round match on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Kyrgios fired down 20 aces?in the match so far.?A natural crowd favorite, he was pumped up and willing himself on through and through; a version of Kyrgios that everyone loves. Burying all the possible signs of rust, Canberra’s very own dished out a “Kyr-ridiculous” performance.
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All about that power
“It should be fast in here. It should be fast. That’s grasscourt tennis. They’ve made it slow. This isn’t grass anymore…Start watering it….make it a grasscourt again please!”
Nick Kyrgios with a changeover speech to TV viewers on modern Wimbledon#getty pic.twitter.com/s39xjQ0Pkz
? Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) June 29, 2021
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Nick Kyrgios was seemingly unhappy with the court during the match; he was seen questioning the pace of the grass court. Humbert played his part in the match, countering the Kyrgios might with some venomous ground-strokes of his own. The duo engaged in pounding rallies and only something close to perfection would suffice. In the clutch phases, it was Humbert who stood up and made his presence felt, before the Aussie was back in full flow. He fired numerous winners, mostly off the forehand side. Nonetheless, it was a phenomenal match to witness.
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After a neck-to-neck battle, play was called off with boos from the crowd. On a surface that he has done so well on, Nick made sure that there were minimal glitches in his game. Next up for the winner of this evenly placed tie is either Juan Londero or Gianluca Mager.?How far do you think the talented Aussie will go in this year’s Championships, if he makes it through R1? Have your say.
