Trevor Noah chats with tennis champion Nick Kyrgios about his 'bad boy' reputation, challenges in tennis, kindred spirit Naomi Osaka, gaming, and his new OnlyFans account.
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Quick takeaways
Nick Kyrgios highlights the challenges of mental health and the need for prioritizing well-being in professional tennis.
Kyrgios discusses his frustration with his "bad boy" reputation and the lack of understanding and judgment he has faced throughout his career.
Kyrgios reflects on his future in tennis, expressing a lack of joy and prioritizing his overall well-being and personal happiness.
Deep dives
Nick Kyrgios: Challenging Tennis Culture
Nick Kyrgios, known for his unique and controversial approach to tennis, discusses the challenges he faced as a young player in a sport dominated by tradition and conformity. Kyrgios shares his journey, starting as a teenager who didn't initially have a passion for tennis, to becoming a maverick who shook up the sport with his unorthodox playing style and vibrant personality. He highlights the pressure and expectations placed on him, as well as the struggles he faced with mental health. Kyrgios emphasizes the need for athletes to prioritize their well-being and speaks out about the shallow and unforgiving culture within tennis. Despite the challenges, Kyrgios finds solace in his friendship with Naomi Osaka and his mission to bring more authenticity to the game.
The Loneliness and Mental Toll of Tennis
Kyrgios opens up about the loneliness and mental toll of being a professional tennis player. He reveals the challenges of constantly being on the road, away from family and friends, and the unpredictability of matches, not knowing the duration or schedule. Kyrgios discusses the pressure and expectations placed on him at a young age and the impact it had on his mental health. He shares his personal experience with depression and the dark period he went through, feeling isolated and misunderstood. Kyrgios emphasizes the importance of mental health and applauds athletes like Naomi Osaka for openly addressing their struggles.
Nick Kyrgios: The Misunderstood Bad Boy
Nick Kyrgios reflects on his reputation as a bad boy in the sport and how it has affected his career. He reveals that his public image is a stark contrast to his true personality, emphasizing that he is introverted, calm, and not self-centered. Kyrgios feels frustrated by the way the media portrays him, perpetuating a narrative that goes against who he really is. He highlights the lack of understanding and judgment he has faced throughout his career, both in the tennis community and from the public. Despite the challenges, Kyrgios embraces his unique identity and continues to inspire others by being his authentic self.
Nick Kyrgios: The Future of Tennis and Life Beyond
Kyrgios discusses his perspective on the future of tennis and his own future in the sport. He shares his thoughts on retirement, expressing that he doesn't have a positive view of his tennis career and doesn't see himself looking back on it with joy. Kyrgios reveals that he plans to play for another year or two and then move on to other things that bring him happiness, such as spending time with loved ones and pursuing personal interests. He emphasizes that tennis is not his top priority and that he wants to prioritize his overall well-being and fulfillment in life.
Balancing Injuries and Personal Life
Professional tennis player Nick Kyrgios discusses how injuries impact his personal life and everyday activities. He shares how certain injuries, like a wrist injury, began affecting his daily life, making simple tasks difficult. Kyrgios emphasizes the need to prioritize health and well-being outside of the sport, even if it means taking time off and not having a specific timeline for a return. He also highlights the importance of acknowledging athletes as human beings and not solely focusing on their performance on the court.
The Role of Social Media and Personal Relationships
Kyrgios reflects on his experiences with social media and the positive and negative aspects it brings. He mentions how platforms like social media have given him opportunities to connect with people and create content beyond tennis, such as hosting his show 'Good Trouble' and interviewing notable figures. He also discusses the challenges of being in a relationship while in the public eye and emphasizes the importance of trust, boundaries, and being present for each other in a supportive way. Kyrgios believes that athletes should be treated as human beings, with attention given to their personal lives and well-being alongside their performance.
Trevor is joined by tennis champion Nick Kyrgios, who is known both for his prodigious talent and his “bad boy” reputation. They discuss how Nick feels about that label, the challenges he's faced on the road, and finding a kindred spirit in Naomi Osaka. Trevor and Nick also nerd out on gaming, and talk about what Nick's girlfriend thinks of his new OnlyFans account.
