“He brings something different”: Nick Kyrgios called most entertaining player in tennis by Tim Henman

Nobody is like Nick Kyrgios, he is one of a kind. The Australian has built quite a reputation for himself as a phenomenal talent on the court and an entertaining figure off it. There was a lot of excitement around his return to tennis at this year's Australian Open.

However, it wasn’t the return he would have hoped for, as he lost out to Jacob Fearnley in the first round of his home tournament. Many people are now wondering what is next for the 29-year-old as he hinted at retirement from singles competition.

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The Entertaining Character of Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios, a sensational character in tennis, has a unique style that sets him apart. He has shown time and time again that he can back it up on the court. The Australian is very talented with the racket in hand, and he has proven that he can play on big occasions against the most prominent players.

This is why many people were excited when he announced he would return to the game in 2025. However, after a gruelling five-set battle with Fearnley, Kyrgios hinted that it might be the end of the road for him in singles competition.

The former Wimbledon finalist talked about physical struggles such as wrist and knee injuries and the lack of enjoyment in singles play. However, this won't be the last time we see Kyrgios on a tennis court, as he will continue competing in doubles, which is great to hear from a fan's perspective. He will enter the doubles competition on Wednesday alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis. The pair will look to recapture the crown they secured in 2022.

A Eurosport pundit Mats Wilander explained why they believe Kyrgios will continue to compete at the highest level: "He's the most entertaining tennis player we've ever had not to win a Grand Slam title, so everyone is suffering with Kyrgios right now. He looked down in that press conference. People love him. I hoped for a good comeback, as he has a few more years. And with that kind of talent and mind, he's a brilliant commentator too, as he did some work for us, but I'd rather see him play tennis again."

Laura Robson's Thoughts

In a competitive sports market, tennis has to attract fans not just from traditional sports like football, rugby, and cricket but also from emerging ones like Formula One and darts. Laura Robson hopes the Australian will keep playing, as he has a significant impact on the sport and its fans.

She said: "Tennis with or without Nick will be entertaining. We have so many personalities and phenomenal athletes, and he's such a nice bonus. Nick, when he's healthy and has trained hard, like we saw in Brisbane, it's a 'nice to have.' He can surely bring fans, atmosphere, and all his skills. Now that he's out of the tournament, we're still excited about everyone left. And tennis is brutal in that way. He's a 'nice to have' for sure."

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Tim Henman Gives His Take

Tim Henman 

After a disappointing defeat, it is always hard to figure out what an athlete thinks. This can often lead to rash statements, which is why many people, including former British number one Tim Henman, hope we haven’t seen the last of Kyrgios in singles.

"He's still young, but it will be dictated by how his body reacts. When you've had any surgery, it's never easy to come back, and when you're playing in pain, it doesn't make it enjoyable. I hope he can stick it out and take the time to build himself physically on the court, gym, and match court. And with his talent, his return could change the dynamics of the tour. We've got so many great players in both the men's and the women's game, but there's no doubt that Kyrgios brings something different. His game style, with its unique elements like underarm serving, polarises opinion, and sometimes that's something we need. I think he'll be the first to admit that sometimes he oversteps the mark. But someone with his flair and his natural ability, as a fan, I'd like to see him around for a few more years."

Nick Kyrgios is a phenomenal talent and is great for the game of tennis. His presence significantly impacts the sport and its fans. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Australian. Is this the last we’ll see of him in singles competition?

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