Naomi Osaka gives her honest opinion on Nick Kyrgios as he gets set to make his return to tennis

Posted by Admin December 18, 2024 Tennis

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Naomi Osaka says he feels about Nick Kyrgios as prepares to return to professional tennis.

After playing just one ATP Tour match in over two years, the Australian is set to return to action on home soil in 2025.

After recovering from serious knee and wrist injuries, Kyrgios will compete in the Brisbane International before resuming his Grand Slam career at the Australian Open.

Fans are excited to see him back, including his peers such as Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion at Melbourne Park.

What does Naomi Osaka think of Nick Kyrgios?

Nick Kyrgios is certainly a tennis maverick, as his controversial remarks at times draw ire from sections of the tennis fanbase.

On the other hand, his electric shotmaking abilities attract crowds in their thousands to watch him play.

But despite the polarising opinion of Kyrgios, Osaka was full of praise for the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up and believes there is much more to him that the public do not see.

“Nick is a dynamic person both on and off the court. I am really drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are and aren’t afraid to show all aspects of themselves,” the former world number one told Harper’s Bazaar Australia.

Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

“I also think there is a side to Nick that few people see, but I can say he has a very big heart and, for him, giving back is really important, and that is a quality I admire about him.”

“For me, you get to a point in your life and your career where you have to stop letting outside noise get to you … if you give anyone’s voice but your own credit, you will never get to where you hope to be.”

Have Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka played doubles together?

Osaka and Kyrgios joined forces to face the American pair of Taylor Fritz and Canadian Open finalist Amanda Anisimova at the Mixed Madness exhibition event ahead of the US Open.

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion and 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles winner wore Kobe Bryant jerseys as they entered the court to a raucous response from the fans.

Osaka and Kyrgios gave their best but ultimately lost the one set shootout 2-6 to Anisimova and Fritz, who went on to reach the men’s singles US Open final.

Post-match Kyrgios reacted on social media saying: “2 people that have had completely different journeys…… through negativity, injuries and whatever it is thrown our way… we continue to write more chapters.”