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A reinvigorated Nick Kyrgios has been nominated for the Newcombe Medal for the first time in five years. “It's great to be nominated for the Newcombe Medal,” said the 27-year-old after earning his third career nomination for the top singles honor in Australian tennis.
Kyrgios, who won the Newcombe Medal in 2014, has been recognized for finishing the 2022 season as the highest ranked Australian in both singles and doubles. Kyrgios' singles ranking had slipped to No.137 in the world in February, but rocketed back into the top 20 after a string of strong results.
This included becoming the first Australian man in 19 years to reach a Wimbledon singles final, as well as a career best US Open quarterfinal. Kyrgios also notched six top-10 victories and won his seventh career title in Washington.
He finished an incredible season with a win-loss record of 37-10. “Wimbledon was a highlight this year. There were some really memorable matches,” reflected Kyrgios. “I think I learned a lot about myself and really developed as a person.
I was playing very good tennis, but more than that, I made great strides mentally." In doubles, Kyrgios rose from world number 233 at the start of the season to world number 11, the highest of his career. He won the Australian Open title with Thanasi Kokkinakis and was also crowned champion in Atlanta (with Kokkinakis) and Washington (with American Jack Sock).
He finished the best year of his career by competing in the ATP Finals alongside Kokkinakis. Kyrgios is one of seven nominees for the prestigious Newcombe Medal in 2022, along with Ash Barty, Alex de Minaur, Matt Ebden, Storm Hunter (nee Sanders), Max Purcell and Ajla Tomljanovic.
The winner will be announced at the Australian Tennis Awards on Monday 12 December.
Kyrgios praises Nole Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios is happy to have Novak Djokovic return to Australia to compete in the year's first Grand Slam in 2023.
“He’s healthy, ready to play and put on a show for our fans and for our country - we’re very lucky to have him. Look, he’s the best player in the world in my opinion. I’m glad we’re welcoming him back to come in and show what a great tennis player he is.
I feel like no tournament is a full-strength tournament without Novak Djokovic in it,” Nick Kyrgios told 7 News. “Novak, [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, they were always the three-headed monster everybody wanted to beat,” he added.