Nick Kyrgios perhaps desires to win a Grand Slam however he has his priorities straight and would nonetheless simply decide $20 million over a Main title.
After having two main surgical procedures, the 29-year-old is ready to launch his comeback on the Brisbane Worldwide between December 29 – January 05. Since confirming that his return would occur, the Australian made it completely clear that changing into a Slam winner can be his No. 1 objective.
Forward of his comeback, Kyrgios agreed to be a visitor on the newly-launched Nothing Main podcast, which is hosted by former American tennis stars John Isner, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Steve Johnson. At one level, Querrey requested the previous world No. 13 to decide on between a Slam title and $20 million.
“$20 million, are you severe? Dude, come on,” Kyrgios responded.
Querrey tried to decrease the quantity and see what occurs, asking: “$10 million?”
Nevertheless, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist remained unfazed, responding: “$10 million, proper now? I’m simply saying a Slam just isn’t that vital. I assume we discovered that tennis continues to be very enterprise like, it’s kind of a enterprise factor to me.”
How a lot cash Kyrgios has earned up to now in his profession?
Since turning professional in 2013, the Australian tennis star has collected round $12.5 million in event prize cash. Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that just about all of that cash was earned earlier than the 2023 season – he appeared in solely match throughout the 2023 and 2024 season.
Off the court docket, Kyrgios has in all probability made some strong cash too via his endorsement offers. Additionally, he labored as a tennis commentator and analyst throughout his time away from tennis and he additionally launched his personal podcast.
In 2022, the 29-year-old had his greatest season outcome and money-wise. For making the Wimbledon last, he netted $1.85 million earlier than amassing a complete of $3.5 million in event prize cash for 2022.
Kyrgios highlighted his Slam targets; how a lot he might pocket for an Australian Open win?
There have been instances within the final two years when it was rumored that the seven-time ATP champion might not play once more. However in November, the Australian formally cleared every part concerning his tennis future after confirming that he would make a comeback initially of 2025.
That is when he additionally fired a warning to his competitors and shared his Slam aspirations.
“I’m coming again as a result of one thing is holding me across the recreation. I’ve overwhelmed just about each person who has been put in entrance of me, made a last of a Grand Slam, gained a doubles title in a Grand Slam, gained a number of titles and made cash. However I feel the one factor that’s now on my goal is a Grand Slam. I feel that would be the solely factor that may shut folks up on the finish of the day. That’ll be my deep motivation,” Kyrgios informed Code Sports activities.
This 12 months, Jannik Sinner took house $2.1 million for his Australian Open triumph. With a slight enhance deliberate for 2025, the returning Australian might probably pocket round that sum if he made all of it the best way at Melbourne Park.
Earlier than present process surgical procedures on his knee and wrist, Kyrgios was trying and taking part in like the most effective gamers within the recreation.
And regardless of his two-year absence from the sport, former two-time US Open champion and Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter is not closing the doorways on the prospect of the 29-year-old making a robust Australian Open run.
“You’d by no means write anybody off with the expertise that Nick has. It is fairly superb. I actually do not know what he is finished, although. A 12 months and a half off the sport … it should be attention-grabbing. I’ve no expectations or understanding about how he’s going to go. I feel it is all up within the air. If he will get to the quarters, the semis, it would not shock me. He is received a large recreation, however then can he preserve it collectively? Can his physique and thoughts maintain collectively? They’re in all probability his actually large hurdles,” Rafter informed AAP.
“He’s received a large recreation. However then can he preserve it collectively? Can his physique maintain up? Can his thoughts maintain collectively? They’re in all probability his actually large hurdles, particularly his physique. When you don’t play competitively, God, it’s a totally completely different factor than to coaching. So I actually don’t know what to anticipate from him. I feel it’s all up within the air.”
