While a succession of persistent injuries have plagued Nick Kyrgios during the twilight phase of his professional tennis career, the polarising athlete appears to be encountering no such difficulties in his social life away from the court.
Late-Night Melbourne Sightings Spark Conversation
Kyrgios, aged 30, was observed departing his Melbourne hotel just before midnight on a recent Friday, dressed casually in a black t-shirt and a distinctive white Boston Celtics hat. His extended partying sessions have become a notable topic of discussion throughout the week, with the Wimbledon finalist making appearances at several trendy venues.
Venue Hopping and Early Morning Encounters
Reports indicate Kyrgios was involved in a discussion with security personnel outside the popular Circus Bar on Commercial Road in South Yarra at 7am on a Sunday morning. Less than twenty-four hours later, he was reportedly seen at Bar Bambi in Melbourne's Central Business District. There is no suggestion of any unlawful behaviour from Kyrgios, who continues to attract significant attention from fans and remains a considerable drawcard for the sport.
The tennis star was also photographed spending time with Alexia Alessi, a marketing manager rumoured to be his new romantic interest, prior to the commencement of the Australian Open tournament. Further footage emerged showing Kyrgios enjoying himself at Bar Bambi on January 26th, merely hours before his mixed doubles match alongside partner Leylah Fernandez concluded in a loss.
Pat Rafter's Candid Assessment of Wasted Talent
One prominent Australian tennis identity who has expressed profound frustration regarding Kyrgios is former champion Pat Rafter. The two-time US Open winner recently elaborated on why he ultimately distanced himself from the 2022 Wimbledon finalist during what should have been his athletic prime.
A Potential for Ten Grand Slam Titles
Speaking candidly on the Shaped by Trent Cotchin podcast, Rafter revealed his belief that Kyrgios possessed the complete all-round game necessary to secure an astonishing ten Grand Slam championships. At his competitive peak, Kyrgios achieved a world ranking of number thirteen and holds the unique distinction of defeating Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer during his first encounters with each member of tennis's legendary 'big three'.
'When you see a talent like Nick come along, as an Australian public you get really disappointed because he hasn't reached his potential,' Rafter told AFL legend Trent Cotchin during the podcast interview. 'The guy was - because he's never coming back to what he was - so talented and so good it scared me.'
The Crucial Missing Element
Rafter speculated that combining Kyrgios's natural ability with the determined attitude of fellow Australian player Dane Sweeny would have created an unstoppable champion. 'If he had the attitude of [fellow Aussie] Dane Sweeny, if you had that combination, you go 'Oh my god, this guy is winning 10 Grand Slams'. I'm telling you right now, that's how good he was,' Rafter asserted.
The tennis great suggested that Kyrgios may have channelled his frustrations through his on-court demeanour rather than dedicated effort. 'It's just disappointment. I think his way of letting his frustrations show was just through his attitude and not trying because he was scared,' Rafter commented.
Personal Frustration and Eventual Acceptance
Rafter's forthright evaluation continued, as he acknowledged feeling personally 'frustrated and angry' that the entertaining player seemed unwilling to pursue avenues for improvement. 'It's a shame. He's such a different personality. I was one of those guys who wanted to change him,' Rafter admitted, before concluding, '[In the end] I just had to let it all go.'
\nThe contrast between Kyrgios's vibrant off-court social engagements in Melbourne and the unfulfilled promise of his tennis career, as highlighted by a respected figure like Pat Rafter, paints a complex picture of a talented athlete navigating the latter stages of his professional journey.
