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Nick Kyrgios collapsed to the grass, his racquet falling from his fingers as he covered his face with his hands.
The world number 40 had beaten Cristian Garin to book a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals – the first time in 17 years that an Aussie male had reached the final four of a grand slam.
As his defeated rival left the court, Kyrgios sat on his chair for minutes, holding back tears and looking almost in shock.
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He gathered himself and his belongings, before fronting a court-side interview that was touching in its frank honesty as much as its sincerity – a side of Kyrgios that is rarely seen.
From admitting he believed his “ship had sailed”, and conceding the mistakes of earlier in his career, to joking he doesn’t have a coach since he “would never put that burden on someone,” here’s what Kyrgios said after his historic win.
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Q: Well, Nick, huge congratulations. It feels like it has been such a long time coming, but you are through to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam and here at Wimbledon. How good does that feel?
A: An amazing atmosphere out here again. I just never thought I would be at a semi-final of a Grand Slam. Honestly, I thought my ship had sailed. Obviously, I didn’t go about things great earlier in my career and I may have wasted that little window but really proud of the way I have just come back out here with my team and been able to put on a performance.
Q: That is an interesting point, Nick because you do things your own way because you don’t have a permanent coach. That might be an idea, a wrong idea, that these days these occasions don’t matter to you, but it matters to you a lot, doesn’t it?
A: Definitely. I don’t have a coach. I would never put that burden on someone. But each and every one of my team plays a very important role. I feel like no-one knows my tennis better than I do. I have been playing this sports since I was seven. To reach a semi-final of a Grand Slam, I’m pretty happy.
Q: Nick, that was an incredibly measured, controlled performance, straight sets. What pleased you most about how you controlled things out here today?
A: Honestly, I thought I was playing on the back foot a lot. He is a hell of a player. He is obviously feeling very confident – hell of a tournament for him to make the quarter-finals. But I felt like I was on the back foot. Got lucky on a couple of points here and there. Could have easily been him standing here. I will just take that and prepare for my next match.
Q: Finally, before we let you go, you talked to your family. They are all up there cheering for you with the crowd. How much energy do you take from a situation like this before you head into the semi-finals?
A: I don’t want to think about the semi-finals just yet. There is a lot to be done from now until then. I will just go back. My dad will cook us dinner as always. Then we will just eat it and watch a movie and just chill out.
Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge said on Nine’s coverage: “I think we’ve heard interviews from Nick where he’s talked a lot about himself, and it’s been all about the show, ‘people have come to watch me and I know I’m good.’
“That was a different interview, totally. That was one of actually really taking in the moment and understanding what he’s just achieved. There’s still more to come.
“I really liked what I heard and I saw there. I don’t know. Maybe he’s growing and maturing before our eyes.”
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