Tennis’ bad boy Nick Kyrgios said he has “matured a lot” after a turbulent year in which he earned a suspended ban for making a sexual comment about the girlfriend of world number four Stan Wawrinka.
“I am not a bad boy at all. I just go out there to win but sometimes emotions get the best of me. I am trying to help out kids back home I don’t know where this image came from I wouldn’t change anything and don’t regret anything. It is a journey, you just learn thing along the way,” the 20-year-old Australian no. 2 said here on Friday.
“I’m the type of guy who has faced a lot of ups and downs I am emotional. I am young and still learning. I have learnt life is not always going to be smooth. It was not a successful year for me,” he added.
Kyrgios reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, his best Grand Slam result, before losing to Richard Gasquet. He also lost to Andy Murray, the world number two, in the third round of the French Open.
Tipped by many experts as a future world number one, Kyrgios picked up his second code of violation in two matches in October, earning a $1,500 fine as he lost to Kei Nishikori at the Shanghai Masters tournament. The volatile Australian had reacted with vulgar language after being warned for smashing away a loose ball which nearly hit a line judge.
“Everyone was sort of excited or curious to know how it’s going to turn out with Wawrinka. For me it it’s all done and been a long time. We have both moved on and he played some unbelievable tennis this year. He understands I am young and I do some stupid stuff.”
Kyrgios rated his win over Rafael Nadal en route to the 2014 Wimbledon quarter-finals as among his best.
