Kyrgios: 'I'm Hurting Thinking About Playing Thiem'
Nick Kyrgios went through a variety of emotions in saving two match points against Ugo Humbert on Wednesday night at the Australian Open. So much so, that the Australian doesn’t want to even think about his next opponent, third seed Dominic Thiem.
“Now I feel old,” said Kyrgios. “I just want to have a glass of red wine after my match… I’m hurting thinking about playing Thiem right now.”
Kyrgios has beaten the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the past, but he admits that his 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 second-round win over Humbert on John Cain Arena may be one of the most memorable victories of his career.
“I don’t think I’ve saved match points at the Australian Open before, I’ve had match points and lost,” said Kyrgios. “It was a crazy one. I’ve been a part of many matches and this one is a match that I’m still kind of in awe about.
“The stadium didn’t feel half full, it was insane. I was just speaking to my physio, who has seen me play matches, epic five sets that had everything, and that match had everything. It is definitely one of my most memorable matches.”
Kyrgios, who is making just his second tournament appearance since returning from a 12-month absence from the ATP Tour, said it was his experience at Melbourne Park that helped him reach the Australian Open third round.
“I felt like I didn’t have anything against him in the fourth and fifth sets,” said Kyrgios. “I thought he was playing better from the ground and maybe I was serving a little bit better than him. All I had today was experience. I’ve been in so many big matches, on that court in particular. I felt like I was an old, savvy veteran who had too much experience.
“I don’t think he’s been involved in too many five-set matches, in Australia, with that kind of crowd. I tried to make him play and somehow got out of jail.”
The 25-year-old went on to praise Humbert, predicting a bright future for the Frenchman.
“He is one heck of a player and I don’t think he is getting enough credit for the year he had last year. He is only going to get better. He is a really good player. He is a lefty, he has a really good serve, he can hit all the flat serves, wide on the Deuce [court], T on the Ad [court], unbelievable backhand, good forehand, volleys and he’s a good competitor.
“I think he is one to watch out for, he’s going to be very good. It was insane, he was one point away from winning and I hope he doesn’t take it too hard on himself. He just needs to keep his head up and he’ll do special things.
“In one moment in the fourth set, I thought to myself, ‘Dude, this could be one of the most memorable matches of your career. You owe it to yourself.’ I put myself in a position to have moments like this and I keep surprising myself. I felt fresh in the fifth set, which is pretty crazy when I haven’t played for 12 months.”
Kyrgios meets last year’s US Open champion Thiem on Friday.