London- If not now, then shortly. If not at Wimbledon, then probably at the US Open. Three years ago Bernard Tomic translated the junior hype into his first - still only - senior grand slam quarter-final, and Todd Woodbridge believes a big Nick Kyrgios moment is imminent, too.
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“It’s a matter of time; maybe it’s in the next 12, 18 months, he’s going to have a big win at a grand slam,’’ said Woodbridge, the former doubles champion and singles No.19. “We’ve seen in Australian tennis over the last few years Bernard Tomic do that here at Wimbledon. I wouldn’t put it past Nick to have a similar experience, particularly on the grass.
“He’s a quality, aggressive player, he serves big, he gets a lot of balls back, he can volley very well, plays good doubles, so that all bodes well for results on this surface. Don’t be surprised if he has a good run here. This is the tournament for him to do that - here or the US Open, which is pretty quick, and he’s played well at.’’
Kyrgios is among five Australian men with Tuesday starts to the first round, the 19-year-old's debut appointment with Stephane Robert tipped to lead to a second, against another Frenchman, Eastbourne finalist Richard Gasquet. His fifth grand slam main draw came via the wildcard attached to his win in the Nottingham Challenger, and one of only two teenagers among the 128 men’s combatants already boasts a big-match temperament beyond his years.
“He’s got game. he has that ability to pull off big shots at the right time; he’s not scared of opportunity, and a lot of players take a long time before they actually are comfortable to take advantage of big situations,’’ Woodbridge said. “But Nick likes that, and I think what makes him different as a young player is that when the time is there he’s not afraid to have a go, and he can make it happen.’’
Kyrgios has already won rounds and the Australian and French Opens, and last year qualified for a debut at the US. After three years playing in the All England Club juniors, the senior chapter opens against a veteran he defeated at a Challenger-level tournament in Sydney last year.
“I have a pretty good draw,’’ Kyrgios said matter-of-factly. “ I’ve played him before and I’ve won, so I know what to expect, he’s an experienced player and I’m one of the youngest.
“So I’m just going to go out there and I think grass suits me well, I’ve been playing really well on it, I’ve won a long streak of matches on it from last week, so I’m confident. But, that being said, I’ve just got to go out there and play each point at a time, not get too ahead of myself.
“Knowing that I’ve won at this stage before, it helps, knowing that it’s not unknown winning the first round. I know that it’s a long best-of-five sets out there and there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs, but you’ve just got to stay strong, and being able to back up matches match after match in a grand slam is the ultimate goal, I think.’’
Lleyton Hewitt’s 16th Wimbledon should start routinely enough, against 117th-ranked Michal Przysiezny, but the 2002 champion could then collide with another Pole, 15th seed and 2013 semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz. The Australian cast is completed by Matt Ebden (against eighth seed Milos Raonic) and qualifier James Duckworth (who faces Gasquet, the 13th seed).
