Disillusioned Nick Kyrgios says he was ‘in a dark place’ after Australian Open loss

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Kyrgios: I'm not a bad person2:24

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios opens up about the perception of him as a "bad guy".

• March 17th 2017
• 4 hours ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Tennis/

Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Getty Images

NICK Kyrgios, twice a winner over Novak Djokovic in the space of a fortnight, has revealed how he felt “the whole of Australia’’ was against him at the Australian Open.

Kyrgios gave a glimpse of his disillusionment during the Australian summer circuit when he came out of his suspension for conduct “contrary to the integrity of the game” late last year.

The Australian Davis Cup spearhead forged a second consecutive straight-sets win over Djokovic in as many tournaments, a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) triumph in the ATP Indian Wells event yesterday.

It booked Kyrgios a quarter-final clash with Roger Federer, who was a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Rafael Nadal.

“Towards the end of last year, I was just going to places and dreading going to tournaments,’’ Kyrgios said.

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Nick Kyrgios celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic. Picture: APSource:AP

After Australia it was tough, as well. Obviously it felt __like the whole of Australia was against me after I lost. I was in a dark place, didn’t want to play for a bit. I was going to take a break for who knows (how long).

“I didn’t want to practise. I didn’t want to really do anything.’’

Kyrgios, who now has a combined 4-1 win-loss record against Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, credited the Davis Cup team environment leading up to the tie against the Czech Republic six weeks ago for helping his mindset.

“After the Australian Open. I went and spent a week with my girlfriend (Ajla Tomljanovic) and Lleyton (Hewitt) called me up, and he really wanted me to come play Davis Cup,’’ world No. 16 Kyrgios said.

“That was the best thing I could have done, come back and be with the boys. You know, they have my back. So that’s been the key. I’m just in a good place mentally.’’

Kyrgios, who is scheduled to play Davis Cup for Australia against the US in Brisbane from April 7-9, did not allow Djokovic a break point, striking 14 aces and 25 winners against the 12-time Grand Slam tournament champion.

“I think now he has really arrived on the scene. I love his serve,’’ said Federer, who lost his only previous match against Kyrgios two years ago.

Originally published as ‘I felt __like the whole of Australia was against me’