French Open: Nick Kyrgios loses second round and temper at Roland Garros

Nick Kyrgios can become the best tennis player in the world without gruelling trips to the gym and endless hours of practice — providing he keeps playing doubles, former world number one Mats Wilander said on Thursday.

“When you serve like he does, it’s not like you need to go and bench press,” the Swede smiled. “I love that he is playing doubles here. It shows that he wants to play tennis, and that is great news for the whole of the sport.”

Kyrgios suffered a second round exit in Paris, losing 5-7 6-4 6-1 6-2 to South African Kevin Anderson. But instead of heading for the exit, he is competing in the doubles with fellow Australian Jordan Thompson, and in the long run that may play to his strengths, Wilander said.

“He obviously loves the team environment. And I mean, whatever crazy things he may or may not have done, you go into the locker room and all the players like him. He’s a popular guy.

“And so playing doubles is going to be good for him. Instead of practicing and hitting, shall we say, lower quality balls, he is going to be competing in matchplay.

“He isn’t going to want to let his …read more