McEnroe open to coaching 'wacky' Kyrgios

Former world No.1 John McEnroe says he and Nick Kyrgios are both 'wacky head cases' but he could be a good coaching fit for Australia's talented young star.

Nick Kyrgios

John McEnroe would enjoy a crack at coaching fellow "head case" Nick Kyrgios. (AAP)

John McEnroe, tennis's original SuperBrat, would enjoy a crack at coaching fellow "head case" Nick Kyrgios, saying he and Australia's most mercurial talent could be a perfect partnership.

McEnroe has savaged Kyrgios multiple times, most notably lashing the youngster's "boneheaded" showmanship during a US Open loss to Murray in 2015, then accusing Kyrgios of "only giving 80 per cent" and "not doing our sport any good" during another loss to Murray at Wimbledon last year.

The former world No.1 still questions whether Kyrgios has the mental toughness to parlay his immense potential into greatness, but maintains the 22-year-old hot-head is "the best positioned" of the ATP Tour's so-called Next Gen stars to win Wimbledon next month.

Open to a 10-week-a-year consultancy role now that his six children have grown up, McEnroe nominated Kyrgios as the player he would most like to coach when asked during the French Open in Paris, where he is commentating for Eurosport.

"It was only in the last five years that we talked about players starting asking potential coaches to travel part-time, 10 weeks or less. Then it's like, 'ooh, that's something that could be tailor-made for me," he said.

"That's something I think could and probably will happen in the future. I have my own tennis academy the past seven years in New York. It is something that is very satisfying if you can take them to another level.

"The guy that would make the most sense on paper would be Nick Kyrgios because we are two head cases, but mentally we are a bit wacky.

"I feel like when I start something like I did with Milos (Raonic), I follow him and I want to see him do well and reach his potential.

"A job of a coach is figuring out what makes that person tick, it's not a case of him adapting to me - it doesn't work like that.

"It's more that you have to adapt to that person. It really depends on the person."

McEnroe says he "hopes" Kyrgios, the youngest player since the great Roger Federer to reach the quarter-finals at two different grand slam events, can mentally step up to the plate.

"These guys are so professional that you just can't afford to not train as hard," said the seven-time major winner.

"Athletically, you can see it's there. He has the talent, you have to get yourself in great shape and mentally - it's the biggest hurdle for anyone.

"When I watch him, I get really concerned as I have already seen it happen where he has gone off and disappeared in a match.

"Can you just change? I hope he can learn because he is young and people are trying to get behind him, the ATP Tour people are. I want it to happen."

After flying solo for two years and climbing to No.13 in the world earlier this year, Kyrgios last month hired Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean on a part-time basis, but admits the arrangement is neither overly formal or permanent.

During his brief stint coaching Raonic last year, McEnroe helped the Canadian make his maiden grand slam final at the All England Club, where he too lost to Murray.


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Source: AAP



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