Kyrgios hints at girlfriend as motivating factor for recent run of success after Citi Open triumph
ATP
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios had to wait three years for his seventh ATP singles title, but he did it in style as he outclassed Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 6-3 in the Citi Open Washington final.
The Cranberra native followed up his singles title with a victory in the doubles category, where he and Jack Sock defeated Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5 6-4.
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Enjoying arguably his best-ever season, Kyrgios jumped 26 places in the singles rankings from 63 to 37, and would have been much higher on the list if the points at Wimbledon counted. The 27-year-old reached his first Grand Slam final this year in London, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Boasting one of the best serves on the tour, the Aussie has been in fine form for a long time and displayed his skills once again in the final against 96th-ranked Nishioka, dishing out 12 aces in two sets. None of Kyrgios' six opponents were able to break him even once throughout the tournament.
In a press conference, the Aussie stated that with increasing age, he has become more mature and also hinted at his girlfriend as a motivating factor.
"Honestly, I feel as if I'm a lot older, a lot more mature, and I feel like when you get older, you realize you shouldn't be taking these things for granted, the way you're feeling, the way your body feels," said Kyrgios. "Also, I have a partner with me now I see a future with and I kind of see that I have to provide for. So I feel like my motivation is a lot higher than it used to be."
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The majority of tennis fans have often criticized the star for his repeatedly outlandish behavior on the court, often venting frustration at the chair umpire and even his own team. Kyrgios remains unaffected and instead focuses on those who stand by him.
"I don't care about what people say about my tennis, like always disrespectful to the sport, all this, all that," admitted the 26-year old. "I know that deep down that I try really hard to do it my own way. I know that I inspire millions of people, and I'm just playing for them."
Kyrgios will face World No.31 Sebastian Baez in the first round of this week's National Bank Open (Rogers Cup).
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.
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
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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
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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









