Nick Kyrgios on his ‘bad boy of tennis’ reputation: ‘I don’t understand why they think that’

Nick Kyrgios says he is does not see himself as the bad boy of tennis, insisting that he is simply a player who plays with real passion.

No player in ATP history has received more or larger fines for on-court behaviour, with swearing, racket smashing, altercations with the crowd and even throwing a chair among his list of charges.

It is a track record that sees him split opinion between tennis traditionalists, who condemn his actions, and more modern fans who are compelled by them.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Ultima Hora ahead of the Mallorca Open, though, he himself says he sees his on-court behaviour as completely normal.

“I love that people follow me and come to see me in the different tournaments, and that they like my way to play I am proud of my style,” Nick Kyrgios said.

“Being able to prove it is also a reward for me. I don’t understand why they think of me [as a bad boy]. I’m 27 years old now and I’ve been playing like this since I was ten.

“I have always been very emotional and ambitious. I’m not going to change. Because I think the fans want to see exciting and intense games.

“If you lose, you will be angry. It’s normal, it’s human. Some show it more and some less.”

Nick Kyrgios is currently deep in his grass court preparations ahead of Wimbledon after deciding to skip the clay season.

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