- Aussie finished runner-up in men’s singles in 2022
- Met the royal on centre court after loss to Novak Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios has revealed what he thought when Kate Middleton praised him for his play after he lost the Wimbledon men’s singles final in 2022 in a revelation that’s sure to anger fans of the royal.
The Aussie firebrand lost his title tilt to Novak Djokovic in four sets and discussed his memories of the Grand Slam before a live audience in London on Tuesday.
Kyrgios revealed that he thinks about the defeat every day before recalling that the Princess of Wales told him, ‘Great work, well played,’ as they met on centre court during the trophy presentation – leading him to think, ‘What would you know?’
The 30-year-old fell to Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in a match that was punctuated by controversy when he told the umpire to remove a fan he accused of having ‘700 drinks’.
Kyrgios had more to say about the Princess during last year’s Wimbledon tournament.
He was working as a colour commentator for the BBC during the men’s singles final between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz when he shared his joy at seeing Kate in the Royal Box.
Kate Middleton is pictured presenting Nick Kyrgios with the runner-up’s trophy after the 2022 Wimbledon men’s singles final
The Princess of Wales told Kyrgios ‘Great work, well played’ after he lost the title to Novak Djokovic in four sets
Kyrgios (pictured reacting after a point in the match) thought ‘What would you know?’ after the kind words from the royal
Kyrgios took the opportunity to offer the Princess of Wales his services as a coach, arguing that he’d make tennis a lot more interesting than Swiss legend Roger Federer, whom Kate has previously taken coaching advice from.
‘Maybe I’m a little bit too volatile… but look, I’ve got a lot of time on my hands at the moment so I’m happy to coach [Kate Middleton],’ Kyrgios said on BBC Sport.
‘It’ll be more fun being coached by me than it would by [Roger] Federer!’
There’ll be no repeat of those sorts of remarks from the Aussie on the Beeb this year after he was axed by the broadcaster.
The move comes after the broadcaster copped backlash after employing him for last year’s Championships 12 months after Kyrgios had admitted to assaulting his former girlfriend Chiara Passari.
Kyrgios – who was praised for his insight and charisma at last year’s tournament – hit back.
‘It’s unfortunate but it’s probably their loss more than mine,’ he told The Guardian.
‘I understand they’ve got Chris Eubanks [as a replacement], but he hasn’t beaten the greatest of all time multiple times.
‘When someone’s beaten Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and has incredible insights, it’s very strange you wouldn’t want that person adding knowledge to tennis fans.’
Eubanks, 29, reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2023 and has also developed a strong reputation as a pundit in the US, working for the Tennis Channel, ESPN, and TNT Sports.
