Nick Kyrgios makes a flirty move with model who bumped into him at the tennis - as Aussie issues 'heartbreaking' admission ahead of the Australian Open Kooyong
While Australian Open organisers might have regrets about the absence of Nick Kyrgios from the singles draw given the fan frenzy at Kooyong, the man himself has none.
Kyrgios was feted like a rockstar at the exhibition tournament in Melbourne on Tuesday when he beat Chinese veteran Zhizhen Zhang in a super tiebreaker 6-3 4-6 (11-9).
The Aussie star posed for snaps with multiple fans during the tournament, but interestingly chose to only repost one photo on his Instagram, with Kyrgios seen posing with model Lily Farrugia.
Farrugia, who is signed to Khoo Model Management, was seen taking in the atmosphere courtside at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
Alongside a friend, she posed for pictures with Italian star Matteo Berrettini as the Italian walked out onto the court.
She posted a clip of her friend Vivienne walking over to Kyrios' chair after his match to ask the 2022 Wimbledon finalist for a signed tennis ball. As he appeared to be leaving the court, Kyrgios paused for a selfie with the model and her friend.
Nick Kyrgios (right) stopped to pose for snaps with Australian model Lily Farrugia (centre) at the Kooyong Classic
Last week, Kyrgios made the call to rule himself out of a wildcard for the Open, which gets underway on Sunday, saying he wasn't up to five-set tennis
Farrugia, who is signed to Khoo Model Management, was seen taking in the atmosphere courtside at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
The image was later shared on Instagram by Farrugia, with Kyrgios posting it to his own story.
It comes after the 30-year-old and his partner Costeen Hatzi had split up last year.
Much speculation has revolved around whether Kyrgios would play in the men's singles at next week's Australian Open.
But last week, he made the call to rule himself out of a wildcard for the Open, which gets underway on Sunday, saying he wasn't up to five-set tennis.
Multiple wrist and knee surgeries have limited Kyrgios to just seven singles tour matches over the past three years, with his ranking plummeting to No 670.
Kyrgios 'absolutely' stood by his decision to make way for Swiss former champion Stan Wawrinka and Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell to take the remaining wildcards.
'Someone like Stan, who's played three or four competitive matches in the United Cup, all at a super high level, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that he deserves it,' Kyrgios said.
'And it just wouldn't be fair like of me to have so many doubts physically to go out there and play some of the best players in the world in the best of five and not even sure that I could back up one round, like it's just not fair.
Farrugia (pictured) and her friend stopped to take a selfie with Kyrgios during the event
Kyrgios (right) 'absolutely' stood by his decision to make way for Swiss former champion Stan Wawrinka and Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell to take the remaining wildcards
'So I mean I think Stan completely deserves a wild card and obviously some of the other Aussies as well and I'm going look at still playing doubles and hopefully a bit of mixed as well - just to be a part of it is special.'
Kyrgios said his inability to play at the standard that saw him challenge - and beat - the best in the world was 'heartbreaking' given his popularity with young fans.
'In some sense it's amazing and in the other sense it's a bit heart-breaking cause I know that I'm not really able to go out there and do what I used to do,' he said of the screaming youngsters.
'It's amazing to have all of these young kids and fans coming out here and I guess it's still a big part of why I still come out here and trying to put on a show.
'The atmosphere out here was nuts ... and if I didn't have this I don't know what else I'd do.
'I've got a lot of other things going on off the court but there's no feeling like this.'
Kyrgios could make his return to grand slam tennis at Wimbledon, where he reached the final in 2022, and said he won't be seen at the French Open, where he hasn't played since 2017.
While he's no fan of clay he was set to play doubles at Roland Garros last year with Jordan Thompson before a knee injury forced his withdrawal.
Multiple wrist and knee surgeries have limited Kyrgios to just seven singles tour matches over the past three years, with his ranking plummeting to 670
Kyrgios said that it might be easier to make a comeback on the grass courts of Wimbledon
He said the grass courts of Wimbledon was the likely aim.
'I think if I'm still able to produce a bit of level like that (his Kooyong Classic match), I think Wimbledon's a bit easier physically.
'I think possibly if I'm able to just put a couple good months together training-wise and we'll see.'
The Canberra product wasn't sure which ATP Tour tournament he would target next and would re-evaluate after the Open.
His immediate goal was winning the $1 million on offer on Wednesday night in the 'One Point Slam', with Tennis Australia upping the prize-money for the contest that will feature both amateur and professional players.
'As of right now I've got that One Point Slam tomorrow that I'm going to try and lock in for and go out there.'
