12 January 2023 , 20:20
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John McEnroe has paid Nick Kyrgios a major compliment with the controversial Aussie set to star in the first episode of the new Netflix tennis series.
Break Point will premiere on Friday, January 13, with the opening instalment of the docuseries titles 'The Maverick'. It will focus largely on Kyrgios, following a year which saw him hit the headlines for both his sublime play and his behaviour.
The Canberra man reached a first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, but was fined heavily along the way after a tempestuous third round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas. At the US Open, he was also sanctioned financially after being found guilty of after yelling, and later spitting, at his player's box.
The episode will open with a series of tennis figures giving their opinion on the 27-year-old, with BBC pundit McEnroe undoubtedly the most complimentary. He labels the star "the most talented player I've seen in 10 years," an extraordinary claim given the decade has featured the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Matteo Berrettini was also generous with his appraisal, adding: He is probably the most talented player from our generation." Not everyone was in favour though, namely former US Open champion Andy Roddick.
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He accused Kyrgios, who angered Australian teammate by withdrawing from the United Cup at the 11th hour this month, of not committing properly to his sport: "He's like a part-time tennis player," Roddick said. "He doesn't play that often, he takes months off at a time. It's like a hobby."
McEnroe has lauded the ability of Kyrgios (PA)On the same day that the series gets started, Kyrgios will warm up for his home Slam by playing Djokovic in an exhibition clash at the Rod Laver Arena. Tickets for the specially arranged game sold out in under an hour, which prompted the 2015 quarter finalist in Melbourne to lash out at his critics.
"Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport!," he tweeted. "Wow what a disgrace, a national embarrassment! How dare he sell out another stadium, the arrogance."
During the Netflix series, Kyrgios also opens up on his past issues with alcohol. The star will also address his "hurt" over what he perceived to be unjust criticism and racist comments towards him after Wimbledon in 2015.