Australia’s number two player Nick Kyrgios shows potential to become a grand slam contender, and he said would pursue his quest to win a grand slam title next season. Kyrgios said he hopes to find his place in the grand slam final and eventually win one in the next couple of years.

The 19-year-old Canberra was speaking to journalists Sunday during the Philippine leg of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in Manila. According to Kyrgios, he is still walking down the right path of success despite his recent brushes with tennis’ authorities.

“I’m looking to go really far in a grand slam and then almost win one in the next year or two,” Kyrgios said in an interview as quoted by The Roar. “I had a pretty up and down year, results-wise and then obviously on the court there was some stuff, but you know, overall, I think it was pretty successful.”

Kyrgios, who is currently ranked 30th in the world, added that he has “matured a lot” after an intense 2015 season, which saw him receive a one-month suspended ban and US$25,000 (AU$ 34,000) for making on-court lewd remarks about World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend fellow tennis player Donna Vekic. Kyrgios received his second code violation and US$1,500 (AU$2,000) during his second-round defeat to Kei Nishikori in Shanghai 1-6 6-4 6-4.

The Australian said that it doesn’t necessarily mean that he would be less angry on the tennis court, especially during tough matches. Kyrgios said that he is actually a calm person but he is a competitor under competitive pressure.

“I want to win, at the end of the day, that’s all I want to do. I’ll do everything I can, so I think for my game, it’s good. It brings energy and excitement, and I think that’s very important.”

Meanwhile, Kyrgios played mixed doubles with up-and-coming Swiss tennis star Belinda Bencic against the Legendari Japan Warriors in the first day of action of IPTL’s Manila leg. Kyrgios and Bencic beat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and Pierre Hugues-Herbert and win the set for the OUE Singapore Slammers. The Slammers are currently fourth in the IPTL standings.

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