Kyrgios: Injuries Shattered the Illusion of Being "Unbeatable," and "Making Money" Is the Real Motivation

After his comeback debut loss to Kecmanovic at the Brisbane International, Nick Kyrgios did not shy away but remained as candid as ever during the press conference. He openly analyzed the devastating psychological impact of his injuries and frankly revealed his true motivation at this stage of his career.

Injuries Destroyed Not Only His Body but Also the Belief of Being "Unbeatable"

Kyrgios admitted that after wrist reconstruction and two knee surgeries, his mindset is completely different from his peak in 2022. He compared himself to great players like Del Potro, Thiem, and Kei Nishikori, who were all plagued by injuries, lamenting how fragile the body is.

“In 2022, I had this extreme illusion; I truly believed I was one of the best players in the world, unbeatable,” Kyrgios recalled. “But after the surgeries, that belief vanished. People think you have surgery, sit on the couch to recover, and then come back as the same top player. That’s not reality; that’s the harshness of sports.”

He acknowledged that losing this confidence is somewhat “sad,” but he is working hard to accept this new reality.

Facing Defeat Head-On: Not Afraid to Lose to Those He “Shouldn’t”

Against world No. 58 Kecmanovic, Kyrgios lost 3-6, 4-6. However, he made no excuses and generously praised his opponent for playing “lights out,” predicting that this young player is one to watch in the future.

“I’m not afraid to lose, nor afraid to lose to opponents most people think I shouldn’t lose to,” Kyrgios said. “Right now, I might be at 70% or 80% form, maybe even at a disadvantage, but I’m willing to step on the court and try.”

He revealed that after the match, Medvedev encouraged him in the locker room, saying occasional losses are part of the recovery process.

Motivation No Longer Pure: “Making Money” Is a Very Real Driving Force

When asked what keeps him competing despite his physical struggles, Kyrgios gave a very pragmatic answer — money.

“Money is a big motivator for me. My parents weren’t wealthy while I was growing up, and I don’t think there’s any shame in admitting that,” he said bluntly. “Of course, I want to entertain the crowd and ignite the atmosphere, but from the start, making as much money as possible has been a major reason for me to stay on tour.”

Nevertheless, he said he still enjoys the fun of playing, especially when seeing kids and family members (like his little nephew) in the crowd, and he still wants to give his best effort.

Looking Ahead: Using Matches as Practice, Targeting the Australian Open

Although his singles debut ended in defeat, Kyrgios was not discouraged. He viewed it as a “stepping stone” and planned to continue competing in doubles this week (partnering Kokkinakis).

“If we can win tomorrow’s doubles match, that’s another victory,” he said. “If I can string together a few wins, who knows where I’ll be in 6 to 12 months?”

Regarding the possibility of receiving a wildcard for the upcoming Australian Open, Kyrgios remains open-minded, hoping to use the upcoming period as a “foundation” to prepare for the new season.

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