It doesn’t feel like a normal tournament anymore. Kyrgios will face Frenchman Ugo Humbert on John Cain Arena on Wednesday night.
The 29th seed was one of the most improved players on tour last year and the last time the pair met happened to be Kyrgios’ last match of 2020 – in Acapulco. The Australian retired from the match after dropping the first set.
“I think he’s one of the most improved players on tour,” Kyrgios said. “He found his form pretty good. I think he won a title or two last year. I’m not sure where.
“He’s a good player. I played him in Acapulco. I wasn’t near 100 percent, but I could just sense he was a good player. Just from that set I played with him, I was like, this guy is a young up-and-comer, he’s going to be playing good tennis. And obviously to be seeded at a Slam you have to put a pretty good year together.”
Tennis fans have been given a glimpse of a more mellow Kyrgios so far this summer. His outbursts have been short and sharp and often followed by his best tennis.
Loading
While he stopped short of saying a year away from the game had helped provide perspective, Kyrgios now feels like an “old soul” on a tour filled with players younger than him.
“Well, I always had a pretty good perspective, you know, even before last year happened,” Kyrgios said. “But, dude, I’m just, like, I feel old. I feel old. I feel like this sport has stressed me out. I feel like an old soul.
“At the end of the day I know it’s just a tennis match. Obviously I’m going to get angry as I’m playing. I’m a competitor, I always want to win. I don’t beat myself up over losses.
“I’m extremely lucky to even be in my position. I’m healthy. You know, I’ve got great friends, great family. An amazing girlfriend back home. I’m blessed. That’s what I mean. Look at me. I’m a wise man now.”
