Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has criticized his home country’s views on athletes while also giving a harsh opinion on former tennis stars like Pete Sampras and Boris Becker. In an interview with The Athletic, Kyrgios discussed his decision to join Only Fans and his future plans for television and commentary. He expressed that Australians have a strange expectation for athletes to focus solely on playing their sport and not pursue other endeavors.
Kyrgios also expressed his feelings of being more respected in the United States and criticized the commentary of old tennis pros, stating that their opinions don’t always make sense. He specifically targeted the playing style of the past, claiming that today’s game is much faster and more competitive. Kyrgios also mentioned getting into punditry at The Tennis Channel’s Santa Monica studios, receiving praise for his professionalism.
The tennis player also made headlines for joining Only Fans, a platform primarily used by sex workers but also hosts content from other creators. Kyrgios defended his decision, explaining that his involvement would not involve explicit content. He also talked about the wealth disparity between tennis players and NBA athletes, highlighting the significant difference in earnings.
Kyrgios also addressed the issue of equal prize money at Grand Slams, pointing out that he and women’s tennis player Elina Svitolina received the same pay despite playing significantly different match times. Overall, the tennis star voiced his opinions on various topics, shedding light on his post-career plans and criticisms of the tennis world.