"I'm very rough around the edges" - Nick Kyrgios recalls swearing in front of the Royal Box at the 2022 Wimbledon final
ATP
Known for his volatility on and off the court, tennis star Nick Kyrgios made headlines when he dropped F-bombs in front of the Royal box during the 2022 Wimbledon final. Now the Australian looks back at the incident, and admits his personality is not suitable for tennis.
The Canberra native took the field by storm at SW19 in 2022, defeating fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a temperamental encounter in the third round en route to the final. However, Kyrgios was unable to overcome Novak Djokovic, as the Serbian prevailed in four sets to win another Wimbledon trophy.
Touted as one of the most naturally gifted tennis players in recent memory, Kyrgios has been unable to take advantage of his talent. The 30-year old has never broken into the top 10, and has failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals at every other Grand Slam tournament.
Speaking to reporters at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Kyrgios reflected on his rambunctious personality. The former World No.13 admitted he has a controversial approach to the sport, and was non-apologetic when recalling dropping F-bombs in front of the Royal Box during his Wimbledon final against Djokovic.
Kyrgios admits to not fitting the mold for a tennis player
"When I played in front of the Royal Box at Wimbledon, I was throwing F-bombs," said the Aussie. "It's been a struggle to kind of fit in, but now I kind of embrace it. I'm not going to change for anyone. I think my passion was basketball and gaming, and I was thrown into a sport where tennis is very clean cut.
"I'm very rough around the edges, and I didn't really fit the mold for a tennis player I really struggled with that early in my career. Now I'm embracing it, and I'm glad I'm able to put on a show."
"I'm very rough around the edges, and I didn't really fit the mold for a tennis player I really struggled with that early in my career. Now I'm embracing it, and I'm glad I'm able to put on a show."
The seven-time ATP singles titlist has been struggling with injuries over the past two years. Kyrgios made an appearance at the 2025 Australian Open in front of his home crowd, but lost in the first round to British star Jacob Fearnley. Recently, he teamed with Frenchman Gael Monfils to play doubles at the DC Open, and is scheduled to compete at the mixed doubles event at the upcoming US Open.
Read also
@tntsports “I missed tournaments because of gaming” Nick Kyrgios confesses his undying love for esports 🎮
♬ original sound - TNT Sports
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
