Tennis legend speaks up for ‘troubled’ Australian Open star

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has his fair share of critics. He’s been accused of not playing to his potential, not training, and it seems that the advice of experts and other players are starting to get to him as when he exited the Australian Open he said that it might be time to get a coach.

A tennis legend and reformed celebrity “bad boy” has come out with some sage advice for Kyrgios. Speaking to the ABC legendary player Andre Agassi says that the coach that Kyrgios needs also needs to get him to get to the core of his problems.

On the court, Agassi said Kyrgios has “as much talent as possibly you could ever see on a tennis court”. Adding, “You just never know what journey someone’s been through”. Agassi continued, “You just never know what journey someone’s been through,” Agassi said from Las Vegas.

“Has he ever really had somebody who attempts to understand him? Has he ever really felt that he’s worthy enough to be cared about?

“What is his struggle and what is his angst and what does he feel? Has anybody done anything except bark at him about what he should be versus understanding who it is that he is?

“Those simple human engagements create a dynamic where you either earn respect or you don’t.

“I can honestly say from a distance if Nick Kyrgios doesn’t respect you, it’s because you haven’t earned it or it’s because he doesn’t respect himself.”

Agassi also stated that the job isn’t going to be easy. He said, “I don’t think anybody’s going to drop wisdom on Nick that changes the trajectory of somebody’s life”. He added, “Unfortunately life has to be the greatest teacher. Life can strip us, it can humble us and it’s only at those points that we search for something deeper, of more value.”

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Do you agree with Agassi’s assessment of Kyrgios? Should Agassi coach him?