"He is competitive": Mats Wilander backs Nick Kyrgios for spectacular achievement at Australian Open

Former world number one Mats Wilander believes that Australia’s Nick Kyrgios could achieve something spectacular if he wins the Australian Open next year. The 29-year-old is set to return to the court after a gap of more than two years. He spent two years on the sidelines because of fitness concerns.

Kyrgios has already confirmed that he will feature in the first Grand Slam of the year in 2025. The Australian Open next year will begin on January 12, where players from all over the world will participate to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize.

Former world number one Wilander has been recently quoted in a report where he praised Kyrgios for bringing something different to the sport. The 60-year-old, who finished his career with seven Grand Slam titles to his name, believes that Kyrgios can achieve something spectacular if he manages to win a major title at his home and that he would be able to ‘tick’ every single box.

“I think Nick has revolutionised the sport in many ways,” he said. “Players are actually using part of his arsenal or his repertoire. Now, here's another statement, if Nick goes out, and he plays his absolute best tennis, and if he wins the Grand Slam, I believe maybe for the first time ever, a single player would have ticked every single box that you can tick. He is competitive, the level is high, the mental attitude is brilliant, the repertoire and the variety of crazy shot-making and the jokes he cracks, no one has ever done it all. Nick Kyrgios has a chance to do it all.”

Kyrgios has not had a great record while playing in the Australian Open. His best performance in Melbourne came in the 2015 edition, where his journey ended in the quarterfinals stage after losing to former world number one Andy Murray in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.