Nick Kyrgios has revealed that contracting COVID-19 very nearly put him out of the Australian Open, as he struggled to even get out of bed last week.
“COVID really got me bad – I was bedridden for about three days, I was sleeping for about 17 hours a day, couldn’t breathe, coughing, so I was really doubting, honestly, towards the start of COVID, how I would be pulling up for the Aus Open,” he said on Today.
“Aerobically now it’s left a couple of effects on me. Not many people know but I’m a heavy asthmatic so it’s actually still affecting me pretty bad.
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Kyrgios said the virus put his preparations in doubt and that he wasn’t able to see his trainer or his physio as much as he would have liked to get a troublesome knee under control.
But he’s not making any excuses.
“Everyone around the world’s dealt with it, Australia’s dealt with COVID so hard, it’s hit us all so hard, so I responded as best as I can.”
Kyrgios made short work of Liam Broady on Tuesday, setting up a huge clash with the world No.2, Daniil Medvedev, tonight.
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“He’s obviously one of the best players in the world – he’s extremely confident, and that’s what I love to see. I love to see these guys show the world what they can do.
“He’s got a bit of swagger too, he loves that underdog role. He likes playing the villain a little bit too, I think he’s great for the sport.”
The pair have only played twice with the Australian winning on both occaisions.
He beat him in the final of the 2019 Citi Open, and in the round of 64 at the Rome Masters in the same year.
“I’ve played him a couple of times, had some success – obviously a while ago. But I know what I need to do to try and trouble him – pretty much everyone in the world’s getting beaten by him at the the moment and not really been close.
“I don’t feel like I’ve got too much to lose but obviously with the crowd and my team here, I don’t want to let anyone down.”
Despite Kyrgios’ wishes to play on the rowdier John Cain Arena, the match will take place on centre court tonight.
“That’s why I play – I love to give the crowd an experience,” he said of the atmosphere during his opening round win.
“I want to make them feel something when they’re out there. Tuesday night, it was just incredible to just make people smile again and it was a bit of a zoo out there.”
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