by Cheeky Sydney tennis club invite Nick Kyrgios to prepare for the Australian Open by taking part in the tournament he bombed aged 15 – and the top prize is just $1,200
A cheeky Sydney tennis club invited Nick Kyrgios to warm up for the Australian Open by playing in a tournament he bombed when he was 15.
The Manly Seaside Championship, played at Manly Lawn Tennis Club on Sydney’s northern beaches, has a 90-year history and has hosted some of the greatest including Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad and Evonne Goolagong.
A cheeky Sydney tennis club invited Nick Kyrgios (pictured) to warm up for the Australian Open by taking part in a tournament he bombed as a 15-year-old
The Manly tournament is played over the Christmas to New Year period and is popular with promising juniors – such as Kyrgios (pictured as a youngster) in 2010 when he retired in the quarter-finals.
The tournament takes place over the Christmas and New Year period and is popular with promising juniors – like Kyrgios in 2010 when he retired in the quarter-finals.
Tournament director Marc Dragan sent an invitation to Kyrgios, hoping he would return to the humble tournament with his first prize of $1,200.
“Nick has made it clear that the Australian Open is his target, but he will need a solid warm-up before heading to Melbourne,” Dragan told Yahoo Sport Australia.
“What better way to do that than to play at Seaside and come back to it in a relaxed yet competitive tournament played at a good time of year.
Tournament director Marc Dragan has sent an invitation to Kyrgios (pictured in the Wimbledon final) hoping he will return to the humble tournament with his top prize of $1,200.
“We are located one lob from the beach and there are plenty of great restaurants, shops and bars to keep him entertained after the tennis is over.
“I’m sure he would have fond memories of playing at Manly as a teenager and this may be his last chance to be on our famous honor roll.”
Kyrgios recently outraged many Australian tennis fans when he decided to snub his country for an appearance at a Saudi Arabia tournament for a ‘six figure’ salary.
His decision to skip the Davis Cup also frustrated team captain Lleyton Hewitt, who said last month: “I don’t know.” You have to ask him. I can’t try harder.
Kyrgios addressed his controversial decision and insisted it wasn’t just based on the lucrative salary.
Kyrgios (pictured with partner Costeen Hatzi) recently outraged many Australian tennis fans when he decided to snub his country for an appearance at a Saudi Arabia tournament for a ‘six-figure’ salary
“I love traveling to places where you don’t know much about tennis and trying to bring attention to the sport, I think that’s important,” he said via 7Sport.
“When I retire I want to know that I left something behind and bring a lot of new fans into the sport.
His huge Saudi earnings capped a stellar season in which he reached the final at Wimbledon, won the Washington Open and won the doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open.
