Nick Kyrgios stunned by ‘incredible transformation’ as 3-year title drought ends

Australian says he had been in ‘some really dark places’ but that his motivation ‘is a lot higher than it used to be’

Defeat of Yoshito Nishioka at Citi Open brought Kyrgios a first singles title since 2019 – before he returned to court to claim his third doubles title of year

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Nick Kyrgios is floored after winning the Citi Open at Washington’s Rock Creek Park Tennis Centre. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:00pm, 8 Aug 2022

Nick Kyrgios said he was stunned at his “incredible transformation” over the past year after he ended a three-year singles title drought with a dominant victory over Yoshito Nishioka at the Citi Open.

The Australian launched a dozen aces on the way to a 6-4 6-3 win over his Japanese opponent on Sunday to claim his first singles title since winning the same hard-court tournament in Washington in 2019.

Kyrgios, who finished runner-up at Wimbledon last month, seemed overcome with emotion as he slumped to his back on the court after sealing the win for his seventh career singles title.

“To see where I was at last year to now, it’s just an incredible transformation,” he said, adding that he had been in “some really dark places”.

Nick Kyrgios (right) and Yoshihito Nishioka collect their prizes after the former’s victory in the final in Washington. Photo: EPA-EFE

“There are so many people who have helped me get there, but myself, I’ve shown some serious strength to just continue and persevere and get through all those times and be able to still perform and win tournaments like this one.”