Rosewall urges Kyrgios to stay cool

Tennis legend Ken Rosewall believes Nick Kyrgios can go deep at Wimbledon if he keeps his emotions in check.

Nick Kyrgios, from Australia

Ken Rosewall believes Nick Kyrgios (pic) can go deep at Wimbledon if he keeps his emotions in check. (AAP)

Tennis great Ken Rosewall is urging Nick Kyrgios to keep his cool as the temperamental talent spearheads Australia's most exciting Wimbledon title assault since the turn of the century.

Kyrgios, the fifth favourite to take out the men's championship starting on Monday, fellow former quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic and Samantha Stosur have given Australia three top-20 seeds for the first time since 2000.

Rosewall gives all three a shot at going deep in the draw but has implored Kyrgios to avoid any repeat of the controversies that dogged his 2015 campaign.

The 21-year-old was embroiled in a series of angry exchanges with umpires and officials during his run to the fourth round and Rosewall hopes he's learnt from the experience.

"There hasn't been much written about him lately so I guess he must be improving," eight-times grand slam champion Rosewall told AAP.

"And let's hope so because he's too good a player with too much talent to really have a lot of other stress on his shoulders when you've got to perform well every time you play.

"But I think he can do that. He's got a lot of talent and he's quite capable of beating any of the leading players, as he's proved before.

"His game has that power and all he needs is a little bit more consistency and to keep control of himself."

Kyrgios, the 15th seed as he enjoys a career-high world ranking of No.18, opens on Tuesday against Czech veteran Radek Stepanek and is projected to meet second-seeded former champion Andy Murray in the fourth round.

Tomic is seeded 19th and faces a big test first up against explosive Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, also on Tuesday.

"The two Aussie boys play well on grass and they're a good chance to go further in the tournament," Rosewall said.

"They've performed well against the higher seeded players so there's no reason why they can't pull off a few upsets."

With Stosur seeded 14th, Australia have three top-20 fancies at the All England Club for the first time since Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter and Mark Philippoussis led the charge 16 years ago.

Stosur has failed to venture beyond the third round in 13 previous attempts, but has renewed belief after storming to this month's French Open semi-finals.

"If she can play with the same amount of confidence that she had in Paris, there's no reason why she can't perform against the higher seeded players," Rosewall said.

"She's got a good serve and a good volley and that helps on grass."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world