Nick Kyrgios' staggering claim about absence from Aussie Davis Cup team
Nick Kyrgios has spoken out to explain his continued absence from Australia's Davis Cup team, claiming it has to do with a lack of respect towards him from the Aussie public. Kyrgios was criticised recently Australia's bid to win the Davis Cup fell at the final hurdle, losing in the final to Canada.
Kyrgios hasn't played Davis Cup in nearly four years and once again sat out as Australia marched to the final in Malaga. The Aussie star drew backlash from commentators and fans when he announced he was playing in an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia this week, boasting of the six-figure payday he was receiving as a result.
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Speaking to AAP on Thursday, Kyrgios addressed the situation regarding his Davis Cup absence, saying it all boils down to the negative attitude towards him from the Australian public. The 27-year-old said he wasn't sure if he'd ever play the World Cup of men's tennis again.
"Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy," he said. "But who knows?
"Adding another week in Europe in Malaga wasn't really what was on my wish list. If it was in Australia, maybe it would have been a different story. But who knows?
"It's not always easy for me to erase everything in Australia that's said negatively about me or my family, you don't need that. So it's interesting that they really want me to play, but are always criticising."
Kyrgios admitted that some of the public perception has changed since his extraordinary run to the Wimbledon final in July. However he said a lot of the treatment he receives from fans in Australia is 'disrespectful'.
"I don't forget the first seven years of my career ... They can't just pick and choose," he said. "Look, I've always been one of the best players in the world - I've always held up my fair share of the bargain towards Australia.
"I feel like this is the first year I've earned respect when it should have been given when I first came on tour. I've represented them, put them on the map, and having produced one of the most successful male years in the last decade for Australia, and am only just getting embraced (now), I don't think that's my fault."
Nick Kyrgios loses in first round in Saudi Arabia
Kyrgios is in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh this week, playing in the 12-man, three day Diriyah Tennis Cup exhibition event and competing for $1.5 million. When asked about his participation in the Middle East tournament, the 27-year-old said it was an easy decision to play.
"At this point of my career, I'll always do what's best for me," he said. "I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures - you know I feel I put myself in that position - so it's an easy one for me.
"I'll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn't be able to be with my girlfriend and I'm not getting paid that well. (That) doesn't really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete."
Kyrgios was beaten in the first round in Riyadh by Britain's Cameron Norrie. The Aussie star went down in two super-tiebreak 'sets' - 10-6 10-6.
"Obviously, it wasn't the result I wanted but all credit to Cam, he just played solid and I made a few too many errors - and in the tie-break format, it's always hard," Kyrgios said. "I'm not too mad about it. I feel like I've given the fans a little bit of Nick Kyrgios, which is okay, but hopefully the doubles will go a bit better."
with AAP
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