By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, March 27, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is a Grand Slam doubles champion who relishes another role: agent of change.
Kyrgios, who dismissed Fabio Fognini to reach the Miami Open fourth round for the fifth time today, was trailed in his post-match press conference by a camera crew.
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Asked why he was interested in participating in a Netflix documentary, Kyrgios said he wants to show tennis culture is changing. The former junior world No. 1 sees a tennis transtion from a largely white, elitist sport to becoming more accessible to all who want to play.
"I think I was quite interested because I think tennis culture is changing," Kyrgios told the media in Miami. "I mean, there is no hiding it.
"Tennis is a very white privileged sport. I loved the fact that I was able to show my path and the way I go about it and how I connect with people."
The former world No. 13 says showing different faces, styles and personalities can help grow the game by making it more inclusive.
Kyrgios said he hopes the success of Naomi Osaka, Frances Tiafoe, Coco Gauff and himself will inspire kids.
"I think it's a very different side to how people would perceive most tennis players," Kyrgios said. "I think it's a special thing for other colored athletes that do want to play tennis to see myself, you know, you have Tiafoe out there right now, Osaka, us doing it the way we are doing it.
"I think it's cool. I think it's a great idea I think for the sport. To grow the sport, it was definitely needed."
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty