Kyrgios could win Wimbledon say greats
Former Wimbledon winners John McEnroe and Pat Cash believe Nick Kyrgios is capable of emulating Boris Becker by winning Wimbledon as a teenager.
The 19-year-old produced one of the greatest upsets in the tournamentâs history by beating world No.1 Rafael Nadal in four sets on Tuesday.
⢠Young gun Kyrgios overpowers Nadal
Coming to Wimbledon as the world No.144, and on a wild-card entry to the main draw, the Australian has surpassed all expectations by reaching the last eight.
Three-time Wimbledon champion McEnroe, now commentating at the tournament for the BBC, said Kyrgios had the look of a champion about him as he demolished Nadalâs title hopes.
âWeâve been waiting for this for a while,â McEnroe said.
âWe keep saying, âWhoâs the next guy?â, and I think we found that guy right now.
âIâve been hearing about this guy for years. Iâd only seen him play a little bit.
âBut that was absolutely stunning, to see what he did to the world number one.
âHow did he keep that up?
âThis is where it gets a little tricky. But he actually had this feeling about him.
âI could see it from the commentators box, that he absolutely believed he was going to win this match, and heâs acting to me like he can win this tournament.
âThe last guy I saw like this is⌠Boris Becker, that young teenager, no fear whatsoever â âno matter what comes my way Iâm going to be better than themâ.â
Becker, at the age of 17, won Wimbledon in 1985, and triumphed again aged 18 and 21.
Australian Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon winner, agreed it was not too much of a stretch to consider Kyrgios a title contender.
âWhy not? If he plays like that,â Cash said.
âIt has a bit of a Boris Becker feel about it.
âA young guy just blasting away. This guy is bringing something to the table that we havenât seen before.
âIt has a real feel of Boris Becker.â
Told that some were predicted he could win the tournament, Kyrgios said he was not getting carried away.
âIâm just going to stay grounded,â Kyrgios said.
âIâm just going to go home tonight and do everything possible for my next round tomorrow.
âMilos has probably got the best serve in the world. Iâm just going to go out there and have fun again.â
McEnroe was stunned by the flow of the match as Kyrgios recovered from losing the second set to Nadal to win 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
The American also noted Kyrgiosâ celebration, and his post-match television interviews, were not over the top.
âNot only is he not surprised heâs beaten Nadal, it looks like (he is thinking), âLet me get done with this interview because Iâve got three more matches Iâve got to playâ,â McEnroe said.
âThat to me tells you something about this guy.
âI sensed that when he walked on the court that he had that feeling about him and Nadal sensed it, and thatâs why there was such a strain on his face as the match progressed.
âThatâs where you know youâre watching someone whoâs going to be a big star in the future.â
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