"I have a partner with me now I see a future with & have to provide for, motivation is a lot higher than it used to be" - Nick Kyrgios after winning the singles & doubles titles at the Citi Open
Nick Kyrgios had to wait three years for his seventh ATP singles title, but he did it in style as he outclassed Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-3 in the Citi Open final. The Australian followed up his singles title with a victory in the doubles category, where he and Jack Sock defeated Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5, 6-4.
Enjoying arguably his best-ever season, Kyrgios jumped 26 places in the singles rankings from 63 to 37, and would have been much higher on the list if the points at Wimbledon counted. The 27-year-old reached his first Grand Slam final this year in London, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Boasting one of the best serves on the tour, the Aussie has been in fine form for a long time. He displayed his skills once again in the final against 96th-ranked Nishioka, dishing out 12 aces in two sets. None of Kyrgios' six opponents were able to break him even once throughout the tournament.
Kyrgios is King in DC 🏆👑
@NickKyrgios becomes a #CitiOpen champion for the second time as he defeats Nishioka 6-4, 6-3 to take the title! https://t.co/XCGLRNogZb
In a press conference, the Aussie stated that he has become more mature with age. Kyrgios also hinted at his girlfriend's presence as a motivating factor.
"Honestly, I feel as if I'm a lot older, a lot more mature, and I feel like when you get older, you realize you shouldn't be taking these things for granted, the way you're feeling, the way your body feels. Also, I have a partner with me now I see a future with and I kind of see that I have to provide for. So I feel like my motivation is a lot higher than it used to be," Kyrgios said.
Fans have repeatedly criticized Kyrgios for his outlandish behavior on the court; the 27-year-old often vents his frustration at the chair umpire and sometimes even at his own team. But Kyrgios claimed on Sunday that he is unaffected by the criticism, and that he instead focuses on those who stand by him.
"I don't care about what people say about my tennis, like always disrespectful to the sport, all this, all that. I know that deep down that I try really hard to do it my own way. I know that I inspire millions of people, and I'm just playing for them," Kyrgios said.
Nick Kyrgios will face Sebastian Baez in the Canadian Open first round
The National Bank Open, also known as the Canadian Open, begins on Monday. In the first round of the Masters 1000 event, Nick Kyrgios will square off against World No. 31 Sebastian Baez.
Baez has had a remarkable year so far, with a number of memorable victories to his name. The Argentine registered his first and only singles title triumph at the Estoril Open in May.
Nick Kyrgios, having a career-best year in terms of results on court, is the first man to sweep the singles and doubles at ATP Washington in the tournament’s long history. #CitiOpen
Kyrgios, whose best result in the Canadian Open is reaching the third round (which he has done twice), will aim to win his first big title this week. The Australian breezed past Baez 6-4, 6-0 at the Indian Wells Masters earlier in 2022.