Tennis News

Washington Lobbyists: Why Kyrgios Lets Fans Tell Him How To Serve

Welcome to the Nick Kyrgios show. Now, pick your serve!

Two years ago at the Citi Open in Washington, Kyrgios went on one of the most memorable runs of his career to claim the ATP 500 title. Along the way, the Aussie gave a new dimension to fan engagement. The inimitable right-hander began asking fans where he should serve on match point.

“It’s kind of like the finale. Who’s the lucky fan to tell me where to serve on match point?” Kyrgios said. “I feel if it works, it’s a memory they’re going to keep for life.”

Kyrgios wants to provide an experience for the fans, not just a match. The 26-year-old loves putting on a show.

“Fans for me are the reason why I play. I love to entertain, I feel like it’s all a show,” Kyrgios said. “It’s not just me going out there hitting good forehands, hitting good backhands. It’s about making everyone in that crowd feel as if they’re in the match as well.”

The six-time ATP Tour titlist feels at home in the United States, and he has fond memories of his triumphant week in Washington. To some, asking fans for serving advice against the world’s best players might seem risky, but not to Kyrgios.

“I feel like I’m an ‘in-the-moment’ type of guy. I feel like that’s how you get the crowd involved,” Kyrgios said. “They’re maybe not ever going to be able to play that level one day, but they’re watching it and to make them feel involved, you ask them, ‘Alright, where do you think you want me to serve? Where would you serve if you were in this moment?’”

That was not the only way Kyrgios entertained that week. The Aussie also delivered Stefanos Tsitsipas’ spare shoes on one knee. Between the fun he had and defeating the likes of Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev en route to the trophy, it was a tournament Kyrgios will never forget.

“That was one of my favourite weeks of my life.”

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Felix Draws On 'Champion Mentality' In Washington

Felix Auger-Aliassime will channel what he deems a “champion mentality” as he looks to build on his most consistent season to date at this week’s Citi Open. Seeded second behind Rafael Nadal in Washington, D.C., the 20-year-old faces a tricky opener against his Roland Garros conqueror from this year, Italian veteran Andreas Seppi.

Despite that first-round boilover in Paris, the Canadian has not dwelled on the result. There have been ample positives since, including a second final of the season in Stuttgart, a run to the semi-finals in Halle and his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon.

“I mean I’ve tried to come with consistent work ethic and effort in every week,” Auger-Aliassime said. “There’s been ups and downs and I think that’s the kind of season. We play so many tournaments, the season is 11 months so you’re never going to be always up but I felt like I’ve been able to capitalise well whenever I was feeling well, whenever I was playing well, to have some good results.

“It could sometimes be a little bit better, it could be worse, but in the end I’m happy where I am reaching the Top 15 ranking, my first Grand Slam quarter-final. Things are moving in the right direction for me.”

Under the guidance of Frederic Fontang and Toni Nadal, Auger-Aliassime said they had continued to build on his attacking game style – a player unafraid to come forward, while maintaining consistency. The mental component would always be a work in progress.

“This mentality with Toni, this champion mentality that I call it, for us we’re trying to build this mentality where I’m in the present of being humble, not too worried about the future, not too frustrated about the past and I feel like that’s what we’ve been trying to do and that’s the vision to be hopefully one day… close to that near-perfect balance of being in the present.”

While still searching for his maiden ATP Tour title, Auger-Aliassime finds himself second in the ATP Race to Milan for the NextGen ATP Finals and 15^th in the FedEx ATP Race to Turin. He could yet qualify for both as he shifts his focus to the North American hard-court swing.

“I think the start of the year I was playing well on the hard courts so I think I’m going to play well now on the hard court swing in the next couple of weeks to gain some confidence and bring some good results,” he said.

“I try to take it one week at a time. There are so many weeks in the season. I feel like to be consistent you really have to make an effort to stay in the present.

“It’s easy to catch yourself looking at the future and hoping I’m making either Turin [or Milan] Finals for me so I try to stay in the present. We don’t know what the future holds.”

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Emma Raducanu makes losing return to WTA Tour in San Jose after Wimbledon exploits

Britain’s Emma Raducanu is beaten in straight sets by world number 51 Zhang Shuai in her first match since her run to the last 16 at Wimbledon.

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Nishikori Flies From Tokyo Into Washington Second Round

Former champion Kei Nishikori’s Citi Open campaign is off to a flying start following a straight-sets win over familiar foe Sam Querrey on Monday. The Japanese World No. 67 clinched his seventh victory from 11 ATP Head2Head meetings against the American, 6-4, 6-4.

Nishikori arrived in Washington from Tokyo, where he had become the first man to reach three straight Olympics Games quarter-finals (l. to Djokovic). Despite the quick turnaround to adjust to conditions in the US capital, he broke three times and prevailed convincingly in 86 minutes .

“Yeah we have played a lot. It’s been many times,” the 2015 Citi Open champion said in his on-court interview. “It’s not easy playing Sam. He has a great serve and especially this surface he has more time to play but… I returned pretty good in those games and I’m very pleased how I played today.”

A former No. 4 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, Nishikori was rattling through his service games, as Querrey increasingly struggled to hold his own. No sooner had Nishikori fended off break points for the first time in the match at 2-3 in the second set than he turned the screws.

“That was toughest moment I think for today. If he had [won that] game I think he had the whole set,” Nishikori said. “I saved a couple of tough points… [I got a] little lucky but after that game I think I was a little more free and I was playing better.”

It was pivotal as he reeled off the last four games of the match to set a meeting with ninth seed Alexander Bublik for a place in the third round. The defeat consigned the 33-year-old Querrey to his fifth straight defeat, following his first-round win over Pablo Carreno Busta in the opening round at Wimbledon.

“I was really tired after coming from Japan and wasn’t sure if I was ready today but on the court I was fine, playing really good tennis,” Nishikori said. “First match is never easy, I wasn’t expecting 100 per cent but I hope I can keep going like this.”

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Role Reversal: Brooksby Beats Anderson In Washington

#NextGenATP American Jenson Brooksby continued his rapid ascent on Monday at the Citi Open, where he upset former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson 7-6(4), 6-3 in the first round.

Just 15 days ago, Anderson defeated Brooksby in straight sets in the Hall of Fame Open final. But this time, it was the 20-year-old wild card who won the biggest points to advance to the second round in Washington after one hour and 50 minutes.

This is just the fifth tour-level main draw of Brooksby’s career, but the World No. 130 competed like he has been on this stage many times before. The three-time ATP Challenger Tour Titlist saved the two break points he faced and capitalised on one of his four opportunities to triumph.

At the start of the season, Brooksby was outside the Top 300 of the FedEx ATP Rankings. But based on the skills and resilience he showed against two-time major finalist Anderson, the American is closing on the Top 100.

The critical moment came at the end of the first set. Brooksby, who was the player on the back foot more often in the early going, saved a set point on his serve at 5-6 by attacking with his forehand. Then from 1/4 down in the ensuing tie-break, he won six consecutive points — using the drop shot on several occasions — to take the opener and seize the momentum.

Whereas Anderson won a first-set tie-break in Newport and used that advantage to pull through the rest of the match, it was Brooksby who did so in Washington. The Californian broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set and did not relinquish his lead, setting a clash against 16th seed and home favourite Frances Tiafoe. Anderson, who made the 2017 final at the Citi Open, had not competed at the ATP 500 since that edition.

In other action, Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan defeated American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3 to set a battle against one of Paul’s best friends: eighth seed Reilly Opelka. In the same quarter of the draw, Italian Andreas Seppi rallied past Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to earn a match against second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, whom he beat at Roland Garros this year.

Did You Know?
In Newport, Brooksby made his first ATP Tour quarter-final, semi-final and championship match on his grass-court debut. The 20-year-old became the second-youngest finalist in the Hall of Fame Open’s history, trailing only 19-year-old Greg Rusedski (1993).

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Getting To Know… Casper Ruud

Casper Ruud won the Generali Open in Kitzbühel on Saturday to claim his third title in as many weeks following victories in Bastad and Gstaad. The Norwegian is the first player since Andy Murray in October 2011 to win three titles in three consecutive weeks.

ATPTour.com recently caught up with the new World No. 12 to learn more about his off-court hobbies, which non-tennis star he’d like to switch placed with for a day and more.

When did you first get into play tennis?
I was too young to remember. My father [Christian Ruud] obviously played before. We had a small mini tennis court in the back yard, and ever since I could walk, he took me there to get a feel of the ball and try to do some stuff, just for fun. I was about three, four, five years old.

When did you think you could become a professional tennis player?
Growing up I watched a lot of tennis on TV, and that inspired me to try and be there myself from a young age. I thought about playing tennis on the big screens around the world. It was always on my mind and my dream from eight years old. Then when I was 12, I stopped soccer, golf, and ice hockey in the winter to only focus on tennis.

What would be your perfect day without tennis?
Early morning golf, then have a nice lunch and then head out on my boat and have a nice swim. I like going on the boat and love playing golf, so that would be perfect.

^{Photo Credit: Generali Open/Alexander Scheuber}
What is one thing you could never be good at?
I am not really good with math. It came to a point in school where I lost it a bit. I know the basic stuff, but when you started involving letters in the mathematics I got lost. I would never be a good mathematician. 

When you were younger, who did you dream of beating?
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was more looking up to them. When you are young it is tough to believe you can be there yourself and beat them. They are more like an inspiration, but the older you get, the more you start to believe, and you get to practise with them sometimes. They are obviously better than you, but maybe not as much as you would maybe think. I was lucky enough to play Novak Djokovic and Federer once, when I went onto the court I went to try and win. You have to try and look at them as just another player you want to beat.

Who would you like to swap places with for one day, inside or outside of tennis?
Maybe a professional golf player when he tees off on the Sunday at The Masters. That would be quite the experience. I think Tiger Woods has done it the most, so maybe him.

Three people you have not met, past or present, to have a meal with?
This is very difficult. Maybe the artist I listen to the most is The Weeknd, so I would probably say him. As an actor, Daniel Craig is my favourite so that is two. The last one, [Michael] Jordan, he is one of the biggest legends. That is a solid trio.

What one meal could you eat every day for the rest of your career?
In Norway, one nice meal is to have newly baked bread with king crab and mayo. It is pretty boring, but very tasty and you could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am a big fan of Asian food, Thai and Italian as well.

Where in the world would you want to retire to and why?
Getting to know the island of Mallorca in Spain. It is very easy to fall in love with it, so that is my goal to have a nice place there after my career. I also enjoy Florida, so it is tough to pick one. Both have good weather and good golf courses, but I haven’t decided yet. But I have some years to still.

When you are having a bad day, what motivates you to train anyway?
I think having a bad day are the times when you show how much you really want to succeed. You are able to put in a good practice or session, that can show yourself and your team how badly you want it. The guys on tour have had these days, and everyone at the top has been able to fight through it. It is something I have been able to do quite well.

What is your biggest flaw, and what is an example of this?
I think on court, I try to behave as well as possible, and sometimes you get frustrated. You get yourself becoming a little bit too angry and that is something I have been working on since I was young. When I was really young, I really hated losing. I started crying when I lost. I think I have matured quite a lot.

What is the biggest difference between you and your dad off the court?
I am a better golf player than him! The difference is getting bigger now that I am older. I am getting a bit better, and he is getting a bit worse every year. I enjoy watching F1 and cars, but he has no interest in this, so I don’t know where I got this interest from.

What don’t people know about Norway as a country?
It is not very crowded as we are only five and a half million [people]. I will give you a fun fact. If you take the coastline of Norway and stretch it out as one big line, you would go around the world two times. It has many fjords, they are beautiful with the scenery and the waterfalls and nice weather. I would recommend anyone to go, to go in the summertime. It is something I have to do after I retire.

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Nakashima: ‘I Want To Show That I Belong With The Top Guys’

From the moment that Brandon Nakashima made his ATP Tour debut last year, everyone in tennis knew that he was destined for big things. On Monday, the teen cracked the Top 100 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time at World No. 89 after reaching his second tour-level final in as many weeks Atlanta.

This accomplishment was a long time coming for Nakashima, who reached the quarter-finals in his first ATP Tour event without dropping a set last year in Delray Beach. But more than his wins over the likes of Cameron Norrie and John Isner, Nakashima has impressed with his rock-solid mentality and composure.

Calm on the court and collected under pressure, the 19-year-old is continuing his steady climb up the FedEx ATP Rankings as he notches a major milestone. After a head-turning two weeks, Nakashima reached his first tour-level final at the Mifel Open in Los Cabos (l. to Norrie) and then backed it up immediately with another final at the Truist Atlanta Open (l. to Isner).

As a result, Nakashima jumped up 45 spots in the past two weeks to become the youngest American in the Top 100.

“It feels pretty good, for me it’s quite an accomplishment,” Nakashima told ATPTour.com. “For me, it shows that I’m heading in the right direction after a slow clay-court and grass-court season. It gives me a lot of confidence coming into this hard-court swing. I’m looking to just build off of it and keep improving and keep getting better.” 

Born in California to parents of Japanese and Vietnamese heritage, Nakashima started playing tennis at three. His talent quickly shone through, on and off the court. Nakashima became the world’s No. 3-ranked junior and enrolled in college early. He played for University of Virginia as a 17-year-old and was named 2019 ACC Freshman of the Year.

 

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But it wasn’t long before Nakashima had his sights set on even bigger feats and he turned pro later that year. He spent the 2020 season improving his game, and built on his successful Delray Beach debut. He pushed eventual finalist Alexander Zverev to four sets in the second round of his first US Open main draw, after spending a week training with Novak Djokovic.

“I think more than anything, it’s my mental game,” Nakashima said, reflecting on his biggest improvement in 2021. “It hasn’t been easy, especially after having that slow clay-court swing, not winning too many matches in Europe, and then having to come over to the hard courts and try to gain some momentum and show that I belong with these guys and that I can play on the ATP Tour.

“That has been the biggest thing for me, especially for my confidence. And then also the minor things, like the technique and my footwork on the court I think has definitely improved from last year.”

Read More: Nakashima: The #NextGenATP American With An Italian Ambition

Nakashima, who started the 2020 season ranked No. 364, is now the fourth teenager to feature inside the ATP’s Top 100, following #NextGenATP rivals Carlos Alcaraz (18), Jannik Sinner (19) and Lorenzo Musetti (19).

He’s also jumped three positions to put himself firmly in contention in the ATP Race To Milan for a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals. Nakashima sits in sixth place, 238 points behind Alcaraz, and the American is determined to continue closing the gap on his peers.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine to make it to Milan for the Next Gen Finals at the end of the year. It would show that I’ve had a solid and consistent year,” Nakashima said. “The main goal for me is to win some of these ATP events and just keep building on the ranking. But it would really be nice to qualify for that at the end of the year and just give my best against those other top young players too.”

 

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To get there, Nakashima won’t be resting on his laurels as he continues to measure his game against the world’s best and prove his mettle on the game’s biggest stages. The 19-year-old is set to make his Citi Open debut this week, and faces Alexei Popyrin in the first round in Washington, D.C.

“There are a lot of things that I’ve realised that I need to improve and get better,” Nakashima said. “For example, my fitness definitely has to improve if I want to go deeper into these tournaments playing against the top pros. Having to play each day and always bring out my best tennis is tough sometimes, but I try to look at it like I’m putting in all the hard work on the practice courts and now it’s paying off.

“There’s still a lot to improve on, but it’s been a good building week for me.” 

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Tiafoe: Having Nadal In Washington Is 'Pretty Legendary'

The Citi Open is Frances Tiafoe’s hometown event, which he first played seven years ago as a 16-year-old. But this might be one of the most special editions yet, as 88-time tour-level titlist Rafael Nadal is making his debut.

“It’s just unbelievable that he came here to D.C.,” Tiafoe said. “Having a player of his calibre here is pretty legendary.”

Tiafoe, who is from Maryland, is set to compete in the ATP 500 for the fifth time. The American noted how important it was for him to have stars play the tournament when he was younger, and how having someone like Nadal could help motivate the next generation of local athletes.

“This tournament’s big. For guys around the area, to see pro players, this is the real thing. Coming here and seeing Del Potro win here, seeing James Blake, all these guys coming and playing here, legends, Lleyton Hewitt. You’re like, ‘Wow, I can maybe play with these guys one day, even be in the same locker room as these guys,’” Tiafoe said. “I think those experiences definitely helped me to be the man I am today. I love this tournament being here, and I hope it can be here for years and years to come.”

The 23-year-old also took time to reflect on the year World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has had. Tiafoe pushed the Serbian to four sets in the second round of the Australian Open. Since then, Djokovic has won the first three major championships of the season and at the US Open will try to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam.

“The guy’s special, man. He can play on all surfaces, he’s moving so well, his serve has gotten a lot better. Mentally, just the toughest in the world. Not necessarily he has the best forehand, backhand or whatever, just mentally he’s so, so good,” Tiafoe said. “As you raise your level, he’s going to keep raising it, keep raising it, really make you beat him. He goes to a place that people just don’t quite want to go to it seems like. He’s always got an answer for you. He’s on the be brink of achieving something crazy special.

“As much as I love seeing greatness, I’d like it to stop, someone else win, preferably me. We’ll see how it goes in the end.”

For now, Tiafoe will focus on the task at hand: the Citi Open. The home favourite has never advanced past the Round of 16 in Washington, but he is confident after a good grass-court season, during which he upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round at Wimbledon.

“I won Nottingham, quarters of Queen’s, the run at Wimbledon. I haven’t won that many consecutive matches in a long time. I think I can play well, but so sporadically,” Tiafoe said. “To have that many wins in a short span was really nice. To beat a high-calibre player in a major, and so convincingly, that gives you a lot of confidence. I’m just ready for what’s next. Hopefully I can keep on this road. Also I’m extremely happy right now just in general.”

Tiafoe is seeded 16th in Washington, and he will play former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson or recent Newport finalist Jenson Brooksby — who lost to Anderson in that championship match — in the second round. No matter the opponent, the 2018 Delray Beach titlist will be ready.

“[It is] the best I’ve felt in a while. I’m playing some great tennis. I’m ready to go,” Tiafoe said. “I’ve put some good matches in on grass, feeling good, feeling less jet lag from the Olympics now. By the time I go, I’ll be ready to go.”

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'Relatable' Kyrgios: 'I'm Not Playing For Myself Anymore'

Despite almost 16,000 km between the U.S. capital and his home base in Australia’s capital, Canberra, Nick Kyrgios finds a comforting sense of home at the site of his most memorable title run. While the 26-year-old proves a drawcard at any stop on tour, outside his home country, he holds a particular affinity for Washington, D.C. and much of it boils down to one factor: the fans.

“Yeah, well, definitely feels like home. The first time I came on site today, everyone was kind of embracing me. Felt like I was playing almost in Australia. I feel completely comfortable here,” Kyrgios said ahead of his opening match against Mackenzie McDonald.

“Yeah, I just love the fans. I’m extremely happy to see the Citi Open. I’m pretty sure it’s full capacity… You can feel the energy around the courts.”

Two years ago, when the tournament was last played, Kyrgios channelled that crowd energy to stage a remarkable run at the Citi Open. He saved a match point to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals before he denied Daniil Medvedev for the title.

This will be only Kyrgios’ fifth event of 2021. While much has changed in the world since that 2019 triumph, the chance to interact with fans and whip up a crowd remains a motivating factor.

“I feel as if I’m not playing for myself anymore. I feel like I’m kind of playing for a lot of people who can relate to me,” Kyrgios said. “I feel like when I was young, I didn’t really have goals to win Slams or anything like that…

“Obviously became kind of good, I guess. Then I beat all the top players, won some titles. Feel like I’ve been pretty iconic in the sport in the sense of doing it my own way, bridging the gap between I think basketball and tennis there now. I’ve accomplished a lot.

“I enjoy now playing just for fun. I really do enjoy just being around fans, just talking with them, getting to know what they do. It was just, like, some touching moments that I remember, my favourite parts of my career, just being with fans, giving them some hope.”

In an added bonus for fans, the Australian teams up with good friend and Washington, D.C. local, Frances Tiafoe, in doubles this week. They face a tricky opener against third seeds Ivan Dodig – a recent Olympic doubles silver medallist – and Rohan Bopanna, a showdown from which Kyrgios admits he has little to lose.

“I don’t know how we’re going to concentrate out there. That’s one thing. I could be an absolute disaster or it could be a lot of fun,” he said. “Me and Frances, when we’re together, we don’t stop laughing and we don’t have any sort of tennis talk really. We’ll see how it’s going to go. I think that one’s obviously just for the crowd.”

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Ruud Up To Career-High No. 12, Mover Of Week

No. 12 Casper Ruud +2 (Career-High)
The Norwegian has risen two places to a career-high No. 12 in the FedEx ATP Rankings after he completed a clay-court hat-trick by capturing the Generali Open title in Kitzbühel. The 22-year-old, who claimed the Nordea Open and Swiss Open Gstaad crowns in July, has now won 12 straight matches. He is the first player since Andy Murray in October 2011 to win three titles in three consecutive weeks. Read Kitzbühel Final Report & Watch Highlights

View Latest FedEx ATP Rankings

No. 30 John Isner, +5
The 36-year-old has jumped up five spots after he won his sixth Truist Atlanta Open title. The American is just the fourth active player to lift at least six trophies at a tour-level tournament, joining Roger Federer (seven events), Rafael Nadal (four events) and Novak Djokovic (four events). Read Atlanta Final Report & Watch Highlights

No. 69 Emil Ruusuvuori, +9 (Career-High)
After advancing to his second ATP Tour semi-final in Atlanta (also 2020 Nur-Sultan), the Finn has moved up nine places to a career-high No. 69. The 22-year-old defeated the in-form Cameron Norrie en route to the last four before falling to #NextGenATP Brandon Nakashima.

No. 76 Pedro Martinez, +21 (Career-High)
The Spaniard has climbed 21 spots to a career-high No. 76 after he enjoyed a run to his first ATP Tour final in Kitzbühel. The 24-year-old recorded the biggest win of his career by FedEx ATP Ranking when he overcame World No. 16 countryman Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round.

No. 89 Brandon Nakashima, +26 (Career-High)
The 19-year-old #NextGenATP star is on a roll, having reached back-to-back ATP Tour finals as he advanced to the championship match in Atlanta after reaching the final in Los Cabos the week before. On his run, the American claimed a career-best victory over World No. 22 Milos Raonic.

Other Notable Top 100 Movers
No. 71 Gianluca Mager, +3
No. 79 Arthur Rinderknech, +12
No. 91 Mikael Ymer, +8
No. 95 Benjamin Bonzi, +16

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