Nick Kyrgios slams rankings system after dethroning Daniil Medvedev at the US Open as he jokes about retirement

Joshua Thomas

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Nick Kyrgios slams rankings system after dethroning Daniil Medvedev at the US Open as he jokes about retirement image

Nick Kyrgios has taken aim at the ATP rankings after knocking out world number one Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16 at the US Open. 

Kyrgios, currently ranked 25 in the world, has now beaten Medvedev twice in the space of a month after also making the Wimbledon final in July. 

While Medvedev will now lose his No. 1 ranking after the US Open, Kyrgios will remain outside the top five even if he wins the Grand Slam tournament this month. 

The Australian was asked about rankings after his latest win over Medvedev and defiantly declared that they 'don't mean anything'. 

"I think the ranking system doesn't reward skill and form to be honest over a certain period of time," Kyrgios said in his post-match press conference.

"It definitely rewards consistency moreso because I've played 12 events and some of the people in front of me have played like 32. So obviously like it's almost impossible for me to be higher ranked unless I'm going deep in tournaments like this.

MORE: Incredible brain fade from Kyrgios hands Medvedev crazy point

"So the rankings for me don't really matter and I feel like tonight was another message that rankings don't matter.

"I see number one next to his name and number 23 next to mine and that doesn't change anything for me. 

"I don't care whether I'm seeded or not. It's nice, otherwise I could draw him first round.

"The rankings...I don't think they mean anything." 

After losing in the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic two months ago, Kyrgios arrived at Flushing Meadows with mixed motivations. 

While desperate to still win his first Grand Slam, the 27-year-old also admitted he was eager to return to Australia after so long away from home. 

Kyrgios has now conceded his priority is to win the US Open but takes comfort from the fact an earlier exit will see him reunited with family sooner. 

MORE: US Open draw opens up for Kyrgios with a Spaniard likely waiting in final

The Aussie also joked that if he was able to win the title, he would never have to play tennis again and could happily retire. 

"I always wanted to win, I always felt like if I did the right things and played the right way, I could go deep," Kyrgios said. 

"But obviously my team and myself had an eye on going home. We've been on the road for so long. 

"And that's how I am treating it. Had I lost tonight, a bit of doubles tomorrow and whatever happens then we go home.

"It does take off the pressure a little bit knowing that we've had such a successful couple of months and then we get to go home and see our family and friends.

"But at the same time, we've still got a job to do. It's the last biggest tournament of the year and we've got to try and just tough it out. Keep pushing each other and stay positive and we do realise that next week we're going home.

"But three more matches potentially then we never have to play tennis again."

Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas Photo

Josh has been covering sport for nearly a decade now having fallen in love with football at a young age. A UTS graduate, Josh has previously worked for GOAL and now covers football closely for The Sporting News.