By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, July 2, 2023

Nick Kyrgios understands the risk and reward of audacious shotmaking on Grand Slam stages.

Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios calls Carlos Alcaraz's achievements and all-court game "nuts", cites the world No. 1 as a shotmaking showman and one of his top three favorite players to watch.

Wimbledon Preview

Meeting the media at Wimbledon today before his first-round clash vs. David Goffin, Kyrgios was asked if he watched much tennis while recovering from his knee surgery last January.



Kyrgios said he watches Grand Slam finals as well as matches of three men: buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis, whom Kyrgios partnered to the 2022 Australian Open doubles crown, friend Frances Tiafoe and world No. 1 Alcaraz.

"I wouldn't watch too much tennis [during my time off]," Kyrgios said. "There's a couple players that I enjoy watching. If they're playing, I might give a look at live scores. Every time 'Foe is playing or Thanasi is playing, or anyone like this, I like watching.

"Obviously Grand Slam finals. I watched a lot of the AO."



Kyrgios said US Open champion Alcaraz's explosive shotmaking, sheer joy of playing and the electric connection he's established with fans all over the world makes the Queen's Club champion fun to watch.

"Seeing what Alcaraz has been able to put together in such a short period of time is nuts," Kyrgios said. "He's got such discipline and he just loves the sport.

"He's fun to watch. He's got so much discipline and so much desire to do well, but he's got that showman about him, as well, which I like. He loves getting the crowd involved, which I like. He loves getting the crowd involved. He loves getting people chanting his name, which is pretty cool."

Though Kyrgios conceded he enjoyed competing more than ever during his standout 2022 season, he admits he was "almost dreading coming back" from knee surgery this season.

"But no, I don't miss the sport at all, to be fair," Kyrgios said. "I was almost dreading coming back a little bit. But it's my job."

Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty