'Must-see TV': Nick Kyrgios' 'ridiculous' three-year first in rare act
Aussie Nick Kyrgios has made his first singles appearance on a clay tournament at an ATP event in three years and produced his usual audacious showmanship to take away a win.
Kyrgios, who has already ruled out competing at Roland Garros in 2022, hadn't played a professional match on clay since 2019.
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However, the Aussie came from behind to defeat American Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Houston.
Kyrgios kept his nerve during a match after losing patience in the first set.
However, the Aussie was up to his usual tricks as he treated the crowd to an audacious tweener lob that helped him win a point.
He also fired down a 222km/h second serve, which stunned the commentator.
"Was that really a 138mph second serve? It was folks," the commentator said.
Three certainties in life ⬇️
✅ Death
✅ Taxes
✅ Kyrgios hitting a tweener@NickKyrgios #USClay pic.twitter.com/5R6rgFAS6l— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 5, 2022
Just a casual 138 mph SECOND serve 👀 @NickKyrgios #USClay pic.twitter.com/yqb1ScvZd6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 5, 2022
Tennis world reacts to Nick Kyrgios' victory
Fans were left delighted to see Kyrgios back on clay for the first time in 1,055 days.
Nick Kyrgios comes back to beat Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and win his first clay match in three years. Into the 2nd round in Houston. pic.twitter.com/LhZu6LV6e0
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 5, 2022
If I were a tennis player I’d wanna be @NickKyrgios
— Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) April 5, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is back on clay and winning. Beats Mackenzie McDonald 4-6 6-3 6-4 in Houston. Some really nice stuff in there, first time playing on this surface in almost three years.
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) April 5, 2022
@NickKyrgios You are actually quite solid on clay. This draw is setting up nicely for you to make a run to the finals...maybe even win it. Hitting 140MPH missiles on serve against Mackie then following it up with laser groundies and clutch pin point drop shots. Brilliant...
— Shiva Suresh (@steveksuresh) April 5, 2022
He’s must-see TV.
— JuneSummersSunnydale (@JuneSunnydale) April 5, 2022
While the Aussie often skips the clay court season, Kyrgios made the announcement he would give Roland Garros a crack in 2023.
However, the 26-year-old says his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi has helped convince him to return for the French grand slam in 2023.
Speaking to tennis reporter Blair Henley, the Aussie revealed that Hatzi's desire to see Paris was a huge influencing factor in the decision.
“Next year I am going to go to Paris. I’m announcing that now, I’m going to the French Open,” Kyrgios told tennis reporter and host Blair Henley.
“I haven’t played that in four years so I’ll be back next year.
“My girlfriend just wants to see Paris. I mean, I’ll play the French Open as well.”
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