Roger Federer on Nick Kyrgios: Controversial Aussie deserves 'a second chance'

Roger Federer, who is considered one of the greatest players in the sport and one of the most respected sportsmen in the world, believes that Australian Nick Kyrgios deserves a “second chance” in showing the world that his attitude has improved after being criticised for past antics on the court.

"I don't know. I haven't read the press here. Obviously it was a tough spell for him there through the American summer," Federer told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about the 20-year-old Australian. "But people get second chances, you know. Everybody deserves one, depending on what you did, clearly. We're talking sporting terms. It was not good what he did, but at the same time, let's see how he's going to do in the future,” he added.

Federer went on to state that he has seen some of Kyrgios’ recent matches and said that the Australian “played great” but that it should be followed up by a great attitude. Federer was asked for comments about Kyrgios after his loss in the final of the 2016 Brisbane International to Milos Raonic, 6-4 6-4.

Back in August of last season, Federer was one of the players and tennis experts who criticised the young Australian after his trash talk against Federer’s compatriot, Stan Wawrinka.

Kyrgios, in one of his many antics on the court, told Wawrinka during a match that Thanasi Kokkinakis, another Australian, “banged” the former’s girlfriend. Kyrgios was fined $10,000 (AU $14,384) by the ATP as the courtside microphones caught the audio, and the trash talk was discussed several times on social media, where Kyrgios was also criticised.

Federer said that while it’s normal for other sports to cross that line, those kinds of antics are unacceptable in tennis.

Many fans and experts consider Kyrgios as the new “bad boy” in tennis due to his volatile personality during matches and even outside the court. However, Kyrgios is also one of the fastest-rising stars in the sport.

The 6-foot-4 Australian who just turned pro in 2013 is currently World No. 30 in the ATP rankings, with major upsets of elite players like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in his past matches.