Nick Kyrgios has revealed he is backing Ashleigh Barty to claim her second straight Grand Slam title by winning at Wimbledon and is delighted to see his fellow Aussie playing so well.
The world No.1 won her first Slam last month at the French Open and progressed to the second round at the All England Club with a straight sets 6-4 6-2 win over Saisai Zheng on Tuesday.
Barty has quickly become the golden girl of Australian tennis and Kyrgios – who has known her since they were juniors – is thrilled for her.
‘What she’s doing on the tennis court now is pretty special. I actually told a lot of people that I thought she was going to win Wimbledon as well,’ the 24-year-old told reporters.
Asked if he wished the Australian public got behind him in the same way they have with Barty, Kyrgios continued: ‘No. I don’t ever wish that. What she’s doing is incredible.
‘I knew as soon as she got her head right and wanted it enough, the sky’s the limit for her. She’s incredibly talented. We played juniors together. She was going out there with ease, beating people.
‘I knew deep down she was always capable. When she took that year off, came back, she seemed to be refreshed. Now she’s winning Grand Slams. Doesn’t surprise me at all.
‘I’m happy that she’s got all the support. She deserves it.’
Kyrgios also progress to the second round at Wimbledon after beating another Aussie, Jordan Thompson, in a thrilling five-set match that lasted over three hours, and he now faces a huge tested against world No.2 Rafael Nadal in the next round on Thursday.
