Nick Kyrgios recounts 'missing tournaments' due to gaming and ‘throwing F-bombs’ at Wimbledon in front of Royal Box during Novak Djokovic final
By James Hilsum
Updated 30/07/2025 at 12:15 GMT+1
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Nick Kyrgios has had an eventful tennis career, with its fair share of high and low points. The 30-year-old gave a candid insight into his journey, admitting to throwing "F-bombs" at Wimbledon, but how he is now "embracing" his personality within the sport. The Australian has endured an injury-plagued recent spell, but made a doubles comeback in the DC Open last month.
'This is the escape' - Kyrgios discusses his love for gaming
Video credit: SNTV
Nick Kyrgios has revealed his previous battles to be accepted in tennis, but claims he is now finding his place within the sport.
The Australian's recent past is one of injury woe, but he made a comeback at the recent DC Open in doubles and says he is "embracing" his personality as he eyes the chance to "put on a show" in the latter part of his career.
Kyrgios, speaking at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, said: "I think my passion was basketball and gaming, and I was thrown into a sport where tennis is very clean cut.
"I'm very rough around the edges, and I didn't really fit the mould for a tennis player.
"I really struggled with that early in my career. Now I'm embracing it, and I'm glad I'm able to put on a show."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Amongst the stand-out moments of the 30-year-old’s career to date was reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic.
He recounted uttering expletives in front of the Royal Box, and explained how his love of gaming has affected his tennis career.
"When I played in front of the Royal Box at Wimbledon, I was throwing F-bombs. It's been a struggle to kind of fit in, but now I kind of embrace it," he added.
"I'm not going to change for anyone.
"I've been criticised in my career for not putting enough time on the court, and I've missed tournaments and training because I've just been gaming, purely because I love it.
"When I played those nine-hour gaming sessions when we were younger, I guess my mum didn't think this was possible [playing Esports competitively]."
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Kyrgios marked his first appearance on the court in over four months at the DC Open, competing in the men's doubles alongside Gael Monfils.
The pair advanced to the round of 16 before being beaten by Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys.
His only Grand Slam appearance of 2025 came at the Australian Open, where Kyrgios was beaten by Brit Jacob Fearnley.
Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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