Australian tennis No 1 Alex de Minaur has described Nick Kyrgios as “very misunderstood” because the shut pals put together for one more assault on their house Grand Slam.
Kyrgios’ ‘good bloke’ stocks in the eyes of the Australian public have perhaps never been higher after a yr by which he has raised huge cash for bushfire aid efforts and known as out poor kind on the COVID-19 behaviour entrance.
However he stays polarising and de Minaur leapt on the possibilities to sing ‘Saint Nick’s’ praises throughout an interview from resort quarantine on the TODAY present on Monday.
“Nick’s one of many nicest guys on the market,” de Minaur stated.
“He is that individual that’s at all times going to have your again, it doesn’t matter what.
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“I have been lucky sufficient to be in Davis Cup ties with him and get to know him higher and play aspect by aspect with him and he is a kind of guys that has at all times had plenty of confidence in me and has at all times, from principally a junior, telling me to imagine in myself and to go on the market and take it.
“He is very misunderstood however he is one of many nicest guys on the market and he’ll at all times have your again.
“We’re virtually brothers – fairly shut.”
After profitable the season opening Antalya Open, the 21-year-old de Minaur enters the Australian Open because the twenty third ranked participant on the earth, not far off his profession better of 18.
The ‘Demon’ additionally had his greatest Grand Slam end (quarterfinals) on the US Open final yr and is in good condition after lacking final yr’s AO with an stomach tear.
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“I am hoping that 2021 could be every part that 2020 wasn’t,” de Minaur stated.
“I am wanting ahead to pushing myself and 2021 to be a standout yr.
“I’ve began nicely, let’s have a look at if I can preserve it going.”
De Minaur additionally applauded tournament organisers for reworking schedules and doing as a lot as potential for gamers in onerous lockdown.
“We have been dealt a really powerful hand with every part that is been occurring,” he stated.
“It will be powerful, plenty of these gamers have not hit for 14 days so it is going to take a few days to get used to it, perhaps every week.
“It is all about adapting.
“You do not know what is going on to come back your method.”
De Minaur spent a lot of 2020 in “home lockdown” from his base in Spain.
“It was an actual shock to the system however started working on totally different abilities.
“I realised I might prepare dinner if wanted,” he quipped.
“I am undecided if I will depend on that however it’s good to know I’ve acquired it in my again pocket.”
