Kyrgios Ready To Carry Aussie Mantle

As a new chapter is written at the Australian Open, all eyes will be on the proud nation’s native son Lleyton Hewitt when the tournament commences on Monday. With the former World No. 1 taking his final bow, big shoes remain to be filled as the Aussie standard bearer. One of Hewitt’s young pupils, Nick Kyrgios, is eager to assume that mantle.

Last year, the 20-year-old Canberra native became the first Australian man to reach the quarter-finals in a decade, since Hewitt himself did it in 2005. Kyrgios is hoping history repeats itself.

“It’s such a sad time, because one of the greatest competitors of all time is leaving our sport,” Kyrgios told the assembled media at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

“Last year I had a really good run. I just remember it being a roller-coaster couple of weeks. When I lost against Andy [Murray], it almost felt like I was exhausted – mentally and physically drained. Coming back this year, I feel like I’ve grown and physically made a lot of improvements. I feel as if I’m ready for whatever comes.

“I feel as if I’m more relaxed this year. I’ve got a lot more confidence in my game. I feel a lot more comfortable playing in front of the crowd this year. I’m definitely playing a lot better.”

As the spotlight shifts from Hewitt to the crop of young guns, Kyrgios is well aware of the expectations that await him, but the World No. 30 is ready to embrace his new role.

“There’s definitely a little bit more expectation. The crowd expects any Aussie to play their best tennis here. That’s fair enough. I think every Aussie should step up here and try their absolute hardest to bring the best out of themselves.”

Kyrgios opens his campaign against another young gun, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta. The World No. 67 is bidding to claim his first match win in his third trip to the Australian Open. “I played him last year in Portugal,” Kyrgios reflected on his semi-final clash in Estoril. “I won in a tight three-set battle. He’s more than capable of producing some really good tennis. He’s had a couple really good wins in Kooyong.

“I know he’s going to come out there and compete for every point. He’s a great competitor. I know what kind of style of tennis I need to play to win. It’s going to be a very exciting match.”

No. 29 seed Kyrgios and Carreno Busta will battle on Monday, with the match slated for not before 7:00pm on Hisense Arena. The winner will face either Yoshihito Nishioka or Pablo Cuevas in the second round, with sixth seed Tomas Berdych potentially looming large in the third round.