Nick Kyrgios, as his tennis career has been put to the wayside during his injury recovery, has really endeared himself to the tennis community.
Having been previously labelled as the sport’s ‘bad guy’, and often lambasted for his explosive on-court reactions, everyone has been treated to a calmer, more measured version of the athlete, ever since his loss in the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic in 2022.
Ironically enough, he has now returned to SW19, and just last night was a pundit as he watched the 37-year-old defeat Holger Rune with ease.
However, despite gushing over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, it was the man in the commentary booth with him who he really sought to praise.
Nick Kyrgios reveals how he feels about John McEnroe
Whilst attention was naturally on Djokovic’s match with Rune, there was a brief pause in the commentary booth mid-way through the match to allow for some chat.
After all, with the Serbian cruising to victory, attention was bound to be at least momentarily diverted.
The main commentator, Nick Mullins, sought to bring the focus back to his two pundits, sandwiched in between Kyrgios and John McEnroe.
He would ask the former for his thoughts on the American, with the two having clearly become good friends of late likely due to their similar personalities.
The Australian was open and supremely complimentary, speaking to BBC Sport: ‘I mean, I would like to use some colourful language but he’s an absolute legend in my eyes. I love him. I think he’s one of the greatest personalities in sport and I think tennis needs it.
‘His results were obviously a lot better than mine consistently and obviously won a bunch of slams.’
Two of tennis’ most entertaining athletes
Whilst hailing from completely different generations, the similarities between the two are startling.
And even if their play styles were hardly aligned, there are even some comparisons to be made there too.
After all, given his monster serve Kyrgios often used the serve-and-volley technique to win free points against his opponents.
McEnroe was also a big user of this tactic.
However, what makes the two far more linked is their explosive on-court personalities.
Neither were outwardly aggressive and abrasive instantly, but were instead set off by what they perceived to be injustice.
McEnroe even admitted that he was often fine, albeit he wore his heart on his sleeve, until a wrong call was made. That was what made him furious.
His Australian friend and fellow pundit has acted similarly, rising to other players’ actions, arguing with the umpire, or getting frustrated with himself for underperforming.
It is a shame that Kyrgios could not have maintained more focus throughout his career, as with the talent he boasted, he could well have enough Grand Slams to rival McEnroe’s.
However, being born into the era he was did not help either…
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