"I don't like when you break rackets but he showed he cares now" - Wilander wants Kyrgios to keep this new attitude to tennis

Mats Wilander noted that he is not a big fan of players smashing rackets but added that seeing Nick Kyrgios break two rackets after a defeat showed that he really cares about the game.

Kyrgios was eliminated from the US Open after suffering a five-set defeat to Karen Khachanov at the quarterfinal stage. After shaking hands with Khachanov, Kyrgios destroyed two rackets.

“He’s got to build up some respect in the locker room for being a competitor, a fighter, and that’s what he did last night," Wilander said on Eurosport. "I mean, he fought to the very last point and to show that he’s frustrated - yes, I don’t like when you break the rackets, you know that - but he showed he cares now."

Throughout the summer, Kyrgios looked fully committed and dedicated to the game. Although the Aussie star didn't lift the Wimbledon or US Open title, it was evident that he gave his absolute best during those two Grand Slam events.

Now, Wilander wants Kyrgios to keep the same approach and contend for the Australian Open title in January.

“What I want to know is, is he going to be able to get up and practice, because I do think in the last three months he’s played so many matches that he hasn’t really had to practice," said Wilander. "And [McEnroe] would know about it because he played doubles as well. [Kyrgios] has played a lot of doubles which is great practice for him.

"Now can he go home and put in two hours pretty much every day until the Australian Open starts and maybe go to the gym and keep this fitness because he’s fit as hell I would say and he fought hard. We are now putting pressure on him to go home and do that in a way."