Nick Kyrgios will embrace wearing the “black hat” in his “villain role” as he attempts to stamp out British wildcard Paul Jubb at Wimbledon on Tuesday night (AEST).
On paper the Australian star should make short work of his first round opponent but Kyrgios is drawing on his own experiences to ward off any complacency as he hunts his maiden Grand Slam singles title.
“I feel like I can put myself in his shoes very well,” Kyrgios said.
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“I was once that kid that got a wildcard at the Australian Open. Felt really good just to be around, soak it all in, the media, the fans, everything, the hype. I know how he’s going to be feeling. He’s going to go out there and he’s going to just play freely, nothing to lose.
“Being in that position, I loved it. I was an underdog every time I walked out there. I had no pressure. So I know it’s going to be a dangerous match. It’s not always easy to be the favourite, just sweep aside someone. Never. I’ve had matches like that and it hasn’t gone well.”
Kyrgios withdrew from last week’s Mallorca Open because of an abdominal injury, saying he didn’t want to aggravate the problem ahead of Wimbledon.
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But he declared that he was happy with his preparation and felt physically and mentally ready to fire.
“I know I just got to ride the waves emotionally out there because the crowd is obviously going to be behind the local. I’m used to wearing that kind of black hat, the villain-type role. I’m going to embrace it. I’m just going to go out there and play the game.
“If you look at the results I’ve had the last couple weeks, if I just stick to my guns, the results say I should win pretty easy. I know it’s not going to be the case. I’ve got to be pretty focused.”
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On Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily, two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Wally Masur said he viewed Kyrgios as the fourth favourite to win Wimbledon.
“Nick’s got it all and what surprises me about Nick is he’s had these long layoffs due to COVID and various reasons but he just comes back on song,” Masur said.
“He just seems to find the middle and on the strength of this incredible serve – arguably the best serve in the men’s game right now because of the strength of the second serve – he just comes back on song. He’s a confident character, he backs himself on grass and he could do a lot of damage this year.”