Berdych heaps praise on Kyrgios

Dubai - Berdych had beaten the 20-year-old Kyrgios in four sets in the Australian Open.

After having lost his second match in five days to the mercurial Nick Kyrgios, Tomas Berdych admitted that it would probably be not bad for the game to have a character like Kyrgios - the kind of which tennis hasn't really seen over the last 10 years.
"Well, I mean, we have been used to not having such players in the last 10 years, you know. Tennis has been going a slightly different way and the players have been shaped to almost perfection," the former Wimbledon finalist said after losing his Dubai Tennis Championships quarterfinal to Kyrgios in straight sets (6-4 6-4) on Thursday."I think without the likes Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal) and Novak (Djokovic), tennis would have been different. They achieved great things while doing things their way and if Nick or someone else can win big things in a different style, obviously it would be interesting.  
"So, definitely the trend has become different with someone like Nick. But I think to perform well for such a long time in a grueling season, you might need something more," said the 30-year-old big hitter from the Czech Republic.
"But maybe Nick could prove us wrong. You never know. But yes, it's definitely something new.
"If he wants to do flips on the courts, he's welcome. Everyone has a choice.
"It's really not my business, and he can do whatever he wants on the other side. If it's the way he feels good and comfortable in, it's not a problem,"  Berdych quipped.
Berdych had beaten the 20-year-old Kyrgios in four sets in the Australian Open. But since then the youngster began to show the kind of ability experts always suspected he possessed.  
After having got a first-hand exposure to the talents of the controversial youngster, Berdych also admitted that the Australian might actually win the biggest trophies in the game - the Grand Slams.
"I think he can do it. I think with him it's going to be just the matter of keeping himself fit and fresh. He has to be basically ready for the long runs and for the amount of work you need to do in order to play matches consistently year after year," Berdych said."I think that's the only thing. But definitely this generation is quite strong. You know, finally, after so many years of having calm and composed winners like Roger, Novak and Rafa, we have exciting new faces coming up."
But Kyrgios, according to Berdych, should stick to the game he plays so well rather than complicating things with unnecessary changes.
"I don't think he has a reason or need to change anything. He's on the good run playing some good tennis, so he definitely doesn't need to change anything in his game. He should just keep doing the same things he does so well!"
While he was gracious in defeat, Berdych said the Marseille loss to Kyrgios was not playing on his mind when he entered the court to begin a new battle with him in Dubai on Thursday.
"No, there was no such pressure," Berdych said.
"It's about the challenge that you want to do well and that you want to play good tennis."Yes I definitely wanted to perform better than I did, but that's how it is.
"So, you know, let's keep fighting. Let's move on and prepare myself and be better and stronger for the next matches and the next tournaments."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com