Jimmy Arias
mocked Nick Kyrgios after his comments about an early retirement from the ATP
tour.
The former
world No. 5 downplayed Kyrgios' remarks. The Australian was participating as a
"coach" for Frances Tiafoe in the exhibition event Ultimate Tennis
Showdown:
“The
sport’s crazy,” said Kyrgios.
“The
schedule is out of control. No f**king change [I play till I am 33], there’s no
way. There’s no chance. I’m playing till 33? Insane! I’m not playing till 33. I
promise you when I’m gone, you’ll never see me again,” he added.
As per
Jimmy Arias' comments on Tennis Channel, Nick Kyrgios' remarks should not be
taken too seriously.
“I don’t
know what he’s talking about when he says this schedule is out of control. He’s
played one match this year. He seems to take every other year off, so he should
be able to play for another 25 years,” Arias said.
“It’s just
interesting to listen to him talk; let’s see what happens when he’s 33. But as
we’re talking right now, I don’t know [if] he’s gonna play five more matches
[this year]. He’s played once so far this year. I’m not sure [his] wrist, knee
[or] his tattoo is hurting him too much [from playing] Pokemon maybe. I don’t
know,” he continued.
The
American former tennis player also highlighted Nick Kyrgios' performance last
year, where he reached the final of Wimbledon, won the ATP 500 Washington Open,
and clinched the doubles title at the Australian Open alongside his compatriot
Thanasi Kokkinakis, among other impressive results:
“The guy is
so talented, he doesn’t really train, he doesn’t do all the things that are
actually difficult and make it hard. And he doesn’t seem to care, although
obviously he does. He’s great for the game to have him play, but he’s got to
play sometimes,” Arias added.
“Something’s
going on but let’s hopefully see him again. He was great last year. [For]
whatever reason, last year he was great,” he added.