SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
One of the star performers in previous Laver Cups, Nick Kyrgios returns for his fourth appearance as part of Team World.
The mercurial Australian thrives in the team environment and produces his shot-making, crowd-rousing best when interacting with a packed stadium on the biggest stages.
An avid NBA fan, Kyrgios will realize a dream – playing at TD Garden, the home of the Boston Celtics – and gives Team World captain John McEnroe a potent option in singles and doubles.
How the year started
Kyrgios started his season on home soil at the Murray River Open in Melbourne, where he reached the round of 16 in February. At the Australian Open, he came up against crafty Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the second round and saved two match points before prevailing in five gripping sets. Kyrgios deemed it “one of the craziest matches ever”.
Broadcaster Jim Courier hailed the atmosphere from the Kyrgios v Humbert showstopper as “the best tennis has sounded since the pandemic”. Few players spark an atmosphere quite like the 26-year-old, who delivered another show-stopper in the third round when he led third seed Dominic Thiem two sets to love before falling in five.
Wimbledon prompts another five-set classic
Following the Australian Open, Kyrgios enjoyed an extended stint back home in the nation’s capital, before making his return to the lawns of Wimbledon in July where as fate would have it, he again drew 21st seed Humbert in the first round.
For the second time in a major this year, Kyrgios had the Frenchman’s measure in five sets.
After blitzing the opening set in the third round against Team World teammate and 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime he dropped the second set and succumbed to an abdominal injury. It also brought to an end his dream mixed doubles pairing with Venus Williams.
How it’s going
Ahead of his return to the Laver Cup fold in 2021, Kyrgios opened his North American hard-court swing at the Atlanta Open where he took down South African former World No.5 Kevin Anderson in straight sets before running into the in-form Cameron Norrie.
He lost a close three-set clash with Team World teammate Reilly Opelka in the opening round in Toronto before the American went all the way to the final.
“He’s got one of the best serves in the world, his skillset is off the charts,” Opelka said of Kyrgios after the win.
Spanish 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut had Kyrgios’s measure in a tough opening outing at the US Open, but the chance to join Team World teammates will have the Canberrran buoyant of further Laver Cup heroics.
Kyrgios on playing Laver Cup
Kyrgios has played in every Laver Cup for a 4-3 record, including an unbeaten run in doubles.
One of the sport’s biggest characters revered for his flashy on-court brilliance, he relishes the chance each year to join forces with Team World captain McEnroe.
“The Laver Cup is my favorite week of the year, and I love being part of the team,” Kyrgios said.
“Playing in the TD Garden, the home of the Celtics, would be unreal.
“Boston fans love their sports, so if we can win the Laver Cup anywhere, TD Garden and Boston, one of the world’s greatest sports cities, are the place to do it.”
