Seeded at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, Nick Kyrgios is looking to take advantage of his position at Roland Garros.
The 20-year-old, 29th-seeded Australian wasn’t well known in his previous appearance at the French Open, but has since scored wins against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, climbing into the Top 30 in the rankings.
"It shows how much I've progressed," Kyrgios told Fairfax Media before the tournament. "I got a wild card here [last year]. Now I'm seeded. It's pretty special. I didn't set goals to be seeded in Grand Slams this early in my career. But I knew over the last couple of weeks that if I did have some good results, I could be seeded. It helps with the draw not hitting some of the big names first round. It's a good thing."
The big-hitting Kyrgios has played well leading into the French Open, defeating Federer in Madrid and reaching the Estoril final. He indicated he is ready for a good run.
“I feel confident wherever I step out. It's no different on clay either,” he said. “I’m playing some of the best clay-court tennis I've played in a long time. I've had some good results the last couple of weeks and I feel confident on the clay. I've won around here before so I know I can play on this surface. I’m really confident of having a good week here. I think physicality is the main thing. I feel as if I'm much better physically now and feel ready to compete and go long distance on clay as well."
Kyrgios sees his confident attitude as an asset, telling press before the French Open, "I think the greatest people in every sport have an unbelievable amount of self confidence and I think that's one thing that makes me a good tennis player—I have a lot of belief in myself. You don't see many 19 or 20-year-olds beating some of the greatest of all-time."
Kyrgios could play Andy Murray in the third round.
The sometimes volatile youngster is looking to stay calmer, however, having had some big displays of temper in matches this season. Though he says it can help him on court, he knows it can also counterproductive. "I know it's an emotional two weeks so you've got to try to keep those emotions in check for the first couple of matches if you happen to get through,” he said.
Kyrgios at least sees himself as physically prepared this time, having competed at the Australian Open with a back injury that subsequently sidelined him for weeks. "I feel I have the metres in my legs. I've played a lot of five-set matches now, so I feel confident in the Grand Slams," he said, having reached the quarterfinals in two majors. "But I'm feeling way better than I felt then, so that in itself gives me confidence. "If I can make the quarterfinals of the Australian Open with a bad back, I can do some special things healthy.”
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