Nick Kyrgios says taking seven-figure payday over representing Australia was an 'easy' decision
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has claimed it was an ‘easy’ decision to play in a Saudi Arabian exhibition event over representing Australia in the Davis Cup.
The Aussie tennis star conducted a candid interview from the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh where he competed in a A$1.5 million three-day exhibition event.
He explained that he doesn’t feel inclined to represent Australia when the public sentiment isn’t overly favourable towards him.
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After Australia lost in the Davis Cup final to Canada, the likes of Lleyton Hewitt and Alex de Minaur both revealed they had attempted to get Kyrgios to join the team.
However, the Wimbledon finalist explained exactly why the Cup wasn’t his priority.
He told AAP, via Fox Sports: “Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy.”
Adding: "At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me.
“I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures - you know I feel I put myself in that position - so it’s an easy one for me.
“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well.
“(That) doesn’t really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete.”
When asked if he’d consider playing the Davis Cup and representing Australia in the future, Kyrgios was honest about his feelings toward his portrayal in Australia.
“Maybe, who knows?” he said.
“Adding another week in Europe in Malaga wasn’t really what was on my wish list. If it was in Australia, maybe it would have been a different story. But who knows?
“It’s not always easy for me to erase everything in Australia that’s said negatively about me or my family, you don’t need that - so it’s interesting that they really want me to play, but are always criticising.
“Look, I’ve always been one of the best players in the world - I’ve always held up my fair share of the bargain towards Australia.
“I feel like this is the first year I’ve earned respect when it should have been given when I first came on tour.
“I’ve represented them, put them on the map, and having produced one of the most successful male years in the last decade for Australia, and am only just getting embraced (now), I don’t think that’s my fault.”
Nick Kyrgios lost to Cameron Norrie in the first round of the tournament.
The final will be played on December 10.
Topics: Australia, Tennis, Nick Kyrgios
Jayden Collins