Australian star Nick Kyrgios has opened up on how he’s improved his game without a coach as he prepares to face Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16 at the US Open on Monday (AEST).
Kyrgios has found career-best form in 2022 and won his first ATP singles title in nearly three years at the Citi Open in August.
At the Canadian Open the following week, Kyrgios then came from a set down to beat Medvedev as he reached the quarter-finals of that event.
The Aussie’s revival on court has come despite his decision not to have a coach and Kyrgios revealed how he’s been able to improve his game solo.
"I don’t have a coach so I broke down my game. My weakness was obviously my forehand return. Throughout my career my forehand return has been my weakness. My second serve at times, I don’t give it enough variety, movement,” Kyrgios said after beating J.J. Wolf in the US Open third round.
"So three things I worked on were getting in better shape, adding more variety to my second serve and every day, every practice session, I’ll allocate 5-10 minutes to working on my forehand return and 5-10 minutes every day adds up to hours.
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"Playing doubles with Thanasi [Kokkinakis] has helped a lot as well. I’ve been working on my forehand return there a lot, and it’s translated into my singles game.
"I think I just want it more, the intent, that’s what returns are. Obviously I figured out quite early in my career that you don’t have to break serve to win tennis matches so I got a bit lax on returning games, but now I want to be able to put that pressure on players.
"I’m really proud of it because I drove that. I didn’t have a coach. I analysed my game, I put in the work and I’m seeing the results.”
Sealed in style.@NickKyrgios rolls into Round 4. pic.twitter.com/1NIoCLGyxa
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
Having beaten Medvedev less than a month ago, Kyrgios knows how to approach their match and believes he’s one of few players that currently stand a chance against the world number one.
While Kyrgios lost to Medvedev at the Australian Open in January, he boasts a 3-1 winning record against the Russian.
"I know my game plan if it’s Medvedev and I’m happy if I win or lose playing that way. Like I’m definitely going to play a certain way against him and I’m happy to lose that way and I’m happy to win that way,” Kyrgios said.
"I think my level is right there. I think there are only a few players right now that are playing a better level of tennis than I am.
"There’s no shame in losing to player like that (Medvedev) but I definitely feel that with the way I’m playing, the game plan and the success I had against him in Montreal, I definitely feel like I’ve got a fighting chance and not many players can say that right now. I feel like I’m one of those players that have a chance.
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"At the Australian Open I feel like my level wasn’t there. I played it the wrong way and he was just in his prime. I still took a set there but I was nowhere near the player I am now that’s for sure.
"I feel like having success against someone weeks before and playing them again is for sure in his mind.
"We’ve got major respect for each other. I think it’s going to be a fun battle."
Kyrgios' match against Medvedev is expected to get underway on Monday morning at around 9am (AEST).
