For once, four-time winners Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic are not center stage, and tennis hunk Rafael Nadal has been muscled out in Melbourne.
The face of the fortnight belongs to homegrown hope Nick Kyrgios — the highest ranked Australian on the men’s tour.
Wearing fluorescent sneakers, mismatched socks and a sharp haircut, the world No. 50 exudes typical Australian surfer cool on court but he has mixed feelings about his new found status.
“They could have chosen a lot more better-looking people than me,” Kyrgios jokes to Open Court presenter Pat Cash in an interview before the first grand slam of the new tennis season started.
“When I saw myself up on a poster here … well, it’s just great to be play in front of a home crowd. I’m really excited.”
Kyrgios first sent the green and gold clad home fans into a frenzy when he won the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 2013.
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“He’s still striving to get so much better and develop his game. That’s what I learned so much from.”
Federer entered the Australian Open as the men’s second seed, behind Djokovic, while Kyrgios was relieved of some pressure by being unseeded.
If he has doubts over this poster boy status, the Australian is looking forward to playing the role of crowd pleaser.
“Being able to get the crowd involved, hit shots they’re going to love, that’s what excites me most,” he smiles.
“Playing on courts like the Rod Laver Arena, it just gives me goosebumps thinking about it. I’ll try to keep the crowd going for as long as I can.”
