Nick Kyrgios has claimed he can beat anyone at Wimbledon as the Aussie prepares to play the “villain-type role” against Paul Jubb on Tuesday.
The flamboyant world No.45 shot to fame by beating world No.1 Rafa Nadal on his debut at SW19 in 2014 on his way to the quarter-finals.. Kyrgios, now 27, has never got past the last eight at a Slam and arrives at the All England Club after skipping the whole clay court season. He has also become more famous for under-arm serves and over-the-top rows with umpires.
But the Aussie, who pulled out of Mallorca last week with an abdominal strain, insisted: “I'm just happy where my level's at. I 've played top-10 players in the world this year and made them look pretty ordinary.
"I know if I'm feeling confident, I'm playing well, I'm able to just light it up kind of whenever I want. I just know if I'm serving well and I'm playing well, I can beat anyone. I have pretty much beaten everyone in the draw before.”
Kyrgios whipped up his home crowd on his way to winning the Australian Open doubles title in January but tomorrow wildcard Jubb will have the support.
“I know I just got to ride the waves emotionally out there because the crowd is obviously going to be behind the local,” he said.
“I'm used to wearing that kind of black hat, the villain-type role. I'm going to embrace it. I think pretty much wherever I play, the crowd knows I'm going to try and bring a lot of energy, bring a lot of flair and entertainment. I think that's just something I come with now.
“If you look at the results I've had the last couple weeks, if I just stick to my guns, the results say I should win pretty easy. I know it's not going to be the case. I've got to be pretty focused.”
Jubb, who made his Wimbledon debut in 2019, said: “He is a showman. People watch him so I wouldn't say it is a bad thing. He brings a lot of excitement. I just got to play the match I would normally play and let him do his thing.
“I've never been against an underarm serve. It's not against the rules. So if he does it to me, and it works out, I'll probably laugh!”
