Nick Kyrgios isn't a Grand Slam champion, but can be a major force for growing the game says Goran Ivanisevic.
In fact, the 2001 Wimbledon winner is such a Kyrgios fan he believes "tennis needs more Nicks."
More: Ivanisevic, Martinez Lead HOF Class of 2020
Kyrgios has taken shots at Grand Slam champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Ivanisevic, who coaches Djokovic, praised Kyrgios as one of the games most entertaining players during a press conference announcing his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame's Class of 2020.
"I think it's great to have Nick," Ivanisevic said. "I have to congratulate him from last night. He was behaving well, fighting till the end.
"Tennis needs Nick. Tennis needs more Nicks. It's funny, they were always telling me I was crazy. I am nothing compared to some guys now (smiling). These young guys, they can be pretty difficult. But we need that. We need little bit difference in tennis."
In an interview with journalist Ben Rothenberg last spring, Kyrgios offered blunt assessment of Djokovic: "I can't stand him."
“I just feel like he has a sick obsession of wanting to be liked,” Kyrgios said of Djokovic. “For me personally I feel like he just wants to be liked so much I just can’t stand him. Like this whole celebration thing that he does after the match it’s like so cringe-worthy, very cringe-worthy.”
During his playing days, the volatile Ivanisevic was a notorious racquet-smasher and outspoken interview subject.
As a coach, Ivanisevic, who guided Marin Cilic to the 2014 US Open crown, recognizes brilliance in Kyrgios, who he believes "can be number one in the future easy."
"Look how many supporters, followers Nick has," Ivanisevic said. "[It] Is only a question of Nick. I think it was three Gorans, but at least 10 Nicks. Depends which one is going to show up. Tennis-wise is unbelievable. He can be No. 1 in the future easy."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve