Cooler Kyrgios inhabiting 'better head space'

MELBOURNE－Nick Kyrgios says he's "in a much better head space" than this time last year when he was booed off court at the Australian Open.

And he's looking forward to what comes next.

The combustible Australian was in a bad place 12 months ago after being jeered and accused of giving up as he crashed out in the second round in a stormy five-set loss to Italian Andreas Seppi.

Tennis great John McEnroe called him "mentally ranked about 200 in the world" and said he was giving the sport a "black eye".

Fast forward a year, and Kyrgios seems to have turned a corner.

He remains an exciting and unpredictable talent, but with a calmer persona.

"I gave my best efforts this week," he said after losing in four gripping sets to world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round at Melbourne Park on Sunday night.

"I came up short but I beat three quality opponents. I lost to one of the best players in the world but I went down swinging.

"Obviously I feel a lot better this time around. Last year I really didn't know what I was going to do after the Australian Open. I feel like I have more of a vision and goal for this year.

"I think I'm in a good head space."

'Awesome' on Laver

His run to a first ATP title on home soil at the Brisbane International and gritty performances without any tantrums at the Australian Open have won him new-found admiration in his homeland and from former greats.

Kyrgios, still only 22, has credited the team structure of the Davis Cup, and the influence of captain Lleyton Hewitt, with helping him deal with some of his demons.

"I just feel like I'm trying to get better," he said. "You know, there were periods where I stepped on the court last year when I was just doing it just for the sake of doing it.

"In the offseason I didn't really have a coach, but I was working on things that I thought I needed to work on－my volleys and transitioning, and my forehand return.

"I think it paid off. I'm trying to get better."

In the past, Kyrgios has played on Hisense Arena at the Australian Open, but as his profile rises and demand to witness his exploits soars, this year he was elevated to center court at Rod Laver Arena.

It was an experience he relished, with the legendary Laver in the stands watching on Sunday and Hewitt and McEnroe in the commentary box.

"It was awesome," he said.

"I saw Rod there and Johnny Mac commentating in the box and we smiled a couple of times. I had my first win (on Rod Laver Arena) a couple days ago against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga, so I feel a lot more comfortable on that court now."

AFP