PARIS • Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev represent the future of men's tennis, but their current fortunes could hardly be more different as the French Open looms just a few days away.
While 20-year-old Zverev has rocketed into the top 10 after winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title by beating Novak Djokovic in Rome on Sunday, Kyrgios, 22, is struggling with a hip injury, poor form and still battling his temperament.
Kyrgios was beaten in his first match in the Lyon Open on Tuesday by Argentina's 94th-ranked Nicolas Kicker - serving nine double faults during a 6-2, 4-6, 2-6 defeat.
He was also warned for smashing a ball into the crowd as his frustration mounted.
Tellingly, Kyrgios, who has hired former French world No. 4 Sebastien Grosjean as his coach, spoke of his respect for Zverev, who could be a dark horse for the Roland Garros title.
"He's been playing great tennis," Kyrgios, who has never gone past the third round at the French Open, told the ATP website.
"He has a massive future ahead. I actually envy him in a way. He does all the right things. He's very professional. That's obviously something I don't quite tick the box for.
"He's going to have a great career. He's younger than me as well. It's going to be exciting to watch him play. I'm sure I'll play him a lot more times."
Zverev has now won three titles this year, adding Rome to Montpellier and Munich and is the first player born in the 1990s to win a Masters 1000 trophy.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has high hopes for both but believes Zverev is making faster progress.
"Zverev is top 10 already and people can see he is going to be a champion in the future," the American said. "It's a question of how long it's going to take before he wins one but he's getting closer."
There is no question that Kyrgios, ranked 19th, has the weaponry needed to win Grand Slams, with his serve already regarded as one of the best in tennis by none other than Roger Federer.
This season he has won 92 per cent of his service games, second only to American John Isner.
Two wins already this season over Djokovic and a sensational struggle against Federer in Miami in what was the match of the year so far, have certainly given McEnroe - one of Kyrgios' harshest critics in the past - cause for optimism about the Australian.
"As a fan of tennis and someone who believes he is (one of) the most talented players out there... I'm very hopeful that he will harness his talent and reach the potential he has," said McEnroe.
REUTERS
