Nick Kyrgios admits it was 'gift and curse' to beat Novak Djokovic ...
Nick Kyrgios admits it was a "gift and a curse" to beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the first time of asking.
Most tennis players would be delighted to have one win against the tennis GOATs, let alone all three, and yet Kyrgios appeared to have the tennis world at his feet after beating the 'Big Three' at the first attempt.
Kyrgios marked his arrival on the biggest stage with a stunning four-set win over Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014, with the Australian beating Federer at the Madrid Masters on clay in their first meeting a year later.
Kyrgios then completed the rare set when downing Djokovic in Acapulco in 2017. The pair initially had a "rocky" relationship but have since reconciled, with Kyrgios revealing they "speak nearly every day and share memes".
He is currently spending time in the Eurosport commentary box at the Australian Open as he recovers from a wrist injury, and was again on the mic for Djokovic's second-round clash with home hopeful Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.
Asked by Chris Bradnam how tough it is beating the sport's biggest names, Kyrgios said: "For me, it was a gift and a curse, considering I beat Novak, Nadal and Federer on my first try.
"I was a bit like: ‘Oh, really? That’s it?’. The Slams are a whole different beast. I’ve rarely had success against either of those guys at a Slam. Only done it to Nadal and it’s just managing the ups and downs throughout that three, four, five hour period.
"Nadal, Federer, Novak; they all seem to weather the storm the best. We all go out there and expect such perfect tennis, but for them, it’s such a process. They are able to stay the most consistent, I think, out of every player.
"A great example was when Novak was two sets to love down against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon [in 2022], and no one ever really felt like he was going to lose the match. Again, Laslo Djere, two sets to love [down, at 2023 US Open], that whole best of five, they’re able to stay really composed."
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Despite his obvious talent, Kyrgios is yet to win a Grand Slam. He came closest at Wimbledon in 2022, when he reached the final and took the first set before Djokovic hit back to win.
"I’ve never won a Grand Slam, but I’ve been awfully close," he said.
"I had a couple of really good runs and I think, physically, when I was young I always thought, ‘Wow, that must be physically really hard to do’ – being in the same place for arguably three weeks, to play seven matches, best of five [sets].
"I was like, ‘Wow, physically it must be really hard,’ but the thing I’ve gained respect for the most with these guys is mentally.
"I was completely gone after my Wimbledon run, I needed a month away from the game. These guys win a Grand Slam, barely celebrate, and they’re back into it a couple days later.
"They’re always looking to improve. The hunger, I don’t know where it comes from. You’ll have to ask them, because I just don’t have that hunger."
David Nalbandian has perhaps the greatest 'Big Three' claim to fame.
At the 2007 Madrid Masters, he thrashed Nadal in the quarter-finals, beat Djokovic in the semi-finals and then downed Federer in the final.
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