Nick Kyrgios has admitted he thought his chances of reaching a grand slam semi-final had passed before booking his trip to the final four at Wimbledon.
The much-maligned Aussie star once again showed his newfound on-court maturity in huge moments, downing Chile’s Cristian Garin 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-5) overnight, in a match that was much closer than the scoreline suggested.
Despite jawing with his box, which featured his father, sister, physio and girlfriend, for the majority of the contest, Kyrgios held his nerve in the crucial moments, coming from a 5-3 hole in the third-set tiebreaker to seal his semi-final spot.
AS IT HAPPENED: Kyrgios downs Garin to reach Wimbledon semis
READ MORE: Unpopular tactic gifts Djokovic comeback win
READ MORE: Bulldogs half rejects huge offer to leave
The 27-year-old was overcome with emotion after match point, crumbling to the turf on the court one, before appearing to fight back tears as he took the post-match scenes in for a number of minutes while sitting in his chair.
“I just never thought I’d be at a semi-final of a grand slam. Honestly, I thought my ship had sailed,” he said after the win.
“Obviously I didn’t go about things great earlier in my career and may have wasted that little window.
“I’m really proud of the way that I’ve just come back out here with my team and to be able to put on a performance like that.
Kyrgios drew laughs from the crowd when asked about not having a coach.
“I don’t have a coach, I would never put that burden on someone,” he said.
“Each and every one of my team plays a very important role. I feel like no one knows my tennis better than I do.
“I’ve been playing this sport since I was seven and to be in the semi-final of a grand slam, I’m pretty happy.”
Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge said the win was a monumental achievement.
“We talk about the show and the entertainment but now it’s starting to add to the repertoire, the quality of play and results, and this is an important result in terms of where his career has been,” he said on Nine’s Wimbledon coverage.
“Sometimes you look at him and I feel he’s been scared to reach these moments. There’s been apprehension about actually putting himself totally on that line, and he’s been doing that in this tournament.
Watch Wimbledon live and free on 9Now and every point from every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
“When the big points come within matches he’s stood up, he’s played his best tennis, he’s shown us what he can do with his racquet.
“I’m pleased for him because the talent’s there, there’s no doubt about that, and finally he’s allowing some of it to come through.”
With his win, Kyrgios became the first Australian to reach the final four of the men’s draw since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 and the first unseeded man to reach the semis since Marat Safin in 2008.