With his singles career seemingly coming to an end, Nick Kyrgios is urged to remain on the ATP tour amid predictions that he could become the best doubles player on the planet.
A dejected Kyrgios admitted he had probably played his last singles match at the Australian Open after injury once again conspired against him in a straight-sets first-round loss to Scotland's Jacob Fearnley at Melbourne Park.
The 29-year-old part-time player plans to play singles at the remaining Grand Slams in 2025, and the ATP confirms Kyrgios has seven more tournaments until November to use his injury-protected ranking of world number 21 to gain a direct entry.
But leading American doubles analyst Will Boucek is imploring Kyrgios to channel his energy and talent elsewhere.
“I really believe that if he focuses on doubles, he has the skills to potentially be the best doubles player in the world,” Boucek said.
“There are some things that make him specifically good at doubles.
With his singles career seemingly coming to an end, Nick Kyrgios is urged to remain on the ATP tour amid predictions that he could become the best doubles player on the planet.
Leading American doubles analyst Will Boucek (pictured) also believes Kyrgios has more natural talent than Roger Federer.
Roger Federer won 20 men's singles Grand Slam titles in a decorated career on court
“He can get returns very early so he can step up and use a SABR (Sneak Attack By Roger) type return, and what that does is totally neutralize the opposing net player.
'So the ball goes very quickly to the server's partner and back to the server. He can also spin and volley with it.'
Boucek, an ATP and WTA doubles strategy analyst who has worked with top 10 teams at the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Australian Open, WTA Finals and the Olympic Games, also considers that Kyrgios has more natural talent than Roger Federer.
“He has all the shots and will surely be unrivaled with his skill set,” he added.
“Potentially his ball skills are some of the best of all time and obviously his serve is huge, which will make it easy.”
“He's tall, so he has a lot of reach, so he's good at netting for his partner and can cover a lot of area.”
“So I absolutely think he could be one of the best doubles players in the world, if not the best, if he wants to focus on it.”
Being a Grand Slam doubles contender could also help Kyrgios, the great showman, remain in the spotlight, Boucek believes, while also extending his career.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis appear on course to win the 2022 Australian Open doubles title.
Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis won the 2022 Australian Open doubles title and will team up again this year.
Boucek is convinced that the Special K can be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
“Having a partner would also help Nick concentrate and play better,” he said.
“On the singles court, historically for me, it's been like I'm too afraid to try and not lose, so I'd rather just not try.
“I think that mentality goes away because he has a partner, also a partner, that he wants to try it with.”
Three rounds of wrist and knee surgery have sidelined the former world number 13 and Wimbledon 2022 finalist for almost two and a half years.
“That's one of the things about doubles: You can sustain your career a lot longer,” Boucek said.
'We're seeing it with 'Boo' (Rohan Bopanna) winning the Australian Open last year at 43 (with Australian Matt Ebden).
'Rajeev Ram is now 40 years old. (Paris Olympics gold medalist) Ebden is probably not that close to retiring and is 37 years old.
“So, yes, a lot of the best doubles players are a little bit older because you only have to cover part of the court.
“I'm sure it's easier on the body.”