A day after Melbournian pessimism reigned over the Australian Open hopes of Nick Kyrgios, the player’s coach Todd Larkham maintained things aren’t quite so bad as his player maintained.
Kyrgios underwent a day of scans and examinations to his injured back and leg after losing to Jerzy Janowicz in the first round of the Apia International in Sydney.
Larkham was cautiously optimistic after Kyrgios underwent extended treatment. “I doubt he will be 100% fit for the Australian Open but in the back it’s not a disc problem and it’s not a stress fracture,” he said.
“They are the two things in your back that could put you out for months and it’s neither of those. We had all the scans, and all Nick needs is two or three weeks of rest and rehab without playing matches. He’s stiff and he’s sore but we’ll do everything we possibly can in the next few days to get it right.”
Kyrgios now plans to take a few week’s rest after the Australian Open. Larkham continued: “The knee is not a problem. He just jarred it a little and then cramped a little bit in his calf at the end but that’s to be expected after not playing a tour match for that long. The back is sore but not as bad as we first thought.”
However Larkham, speaking to the Sydney Morning Telegraph, was insistent there was no suggestion the added weight of expectation was getting to his charge. “Nick didn’t go out there and choke or anything. I thought he was relaxed and composed on court and kept his head really well,” he said.
“He didn’t lose his temper, he was enjoying it and mucking around with the crowd at times. He kept it cool on court and I thought it was a good mental performance. I think he’s fine with it all.
“I don’t think he’s feeling any undue pressure. He always wants to win every match, no matter where in the world he is, he is putting pressure on himself to win. I think that’s what makes him play well.”
Content via Bob Larson Tennis News Service. Copyrighted material.
Topics: Apia International, Atp, Jerzy Janowicz, Nick Kyrgios, Tennis, Todd Larkham
-@NickKyrgios’ COACH TODD LARKHAM THINKS THINGS MAY NOT BE SO BAD, WE ARE ALL HOPING HE IS RIGHT- http://t.co/5FNwCA59Dx #tennis #kyrgios