Nick Kyrgios makes Rafael Nadal admission ahead of US Open later this month
NICK KYRGIOS was glad to find out that he will avoid a big name early on of the US Open later this month, unlike he did at Wimbledon when he faced Rafael Nadal in the second round.
Citi Open: Nick Kyrgios reacts to winning the tournament
Kyrgios’ second ATP Tour title of 2019 at the Citi Open earlier this month ensured he climbed inside the top 30 which will see him earn a seeded spot at Flushing Meadows.
It’s the first time the Australian has been ranked lower than 30th in just over a year.
It means Kyrgios will not face a potential second round match against another seeded player at the US Open in two week’s time, but he could still come up against a strong opponent in the third.
He found out the hard way what being unseeded can do to a player’s tournament at Wimbledon after being drawn to face Nadal in the second round.
Kyrgios has a strong record against the Spaniard, but the 18-time Grand Slam champion ultimately had too much for the 24-year-old.
And Kyrgios is glad to know that he will not have to face the same fate at the US Open.
“Obviously being seeded at a slam helps,” he said.
“I don't really care, but you don't really want to hit one of those big guys early on, for instance, say, at Wimbledon when I played Rafa.
“So either way I was going to be ready.
“But, I mean, it's good to have that guarantee that you're not going to face one of the big guys in the early stages."
Kyrgios has appeared to turn a corner in recent weeks, culminating in his win in Washington.
And he has credited the help of his family for continuing to believe in him in getting him back on track.
“I’ve got a long way to go, but, yeah, I mean, I just want to thank -- obviously my brother flew to come to watch me play, but there's a lot of pieces that have been put in place,” Kyrgios added.
“You know, they still believed in me when I honestly didn't.
“I lost faith that I could still have weeks like this and be happy.
“So I just want to thank them for not losing that."