Roger Federer 'excited' to see if Nick Kyrgios keeps up his good form in 2018

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  • Roger Federer is “excited” to see what’s in store for Nick Kyrgios this year, and whether the young Aussie will be able to back up his early-season good form throughout 2018.

    Kyrgios bowed out of the Australian Open last-16 in four close sets to Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday night, in a thrilling showdown that lived up to expectations.

    “I enjoyed the match last night. I watched it all. It was close. I thought that Nick was serving unbelievable again, and Grigor was doing an unbelievable job of staying with him. He was playing very well. I was impressed at Grigor’s grit of staying in there with him for as long as he did,” Federer told reporters on Monday following his straight-sets win over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

    “It was a tough match, and, sure, we can expect more. But, you know, now we’ll see what happens. Davis Cup is next for him, so, yeah. It’s not one match or one week. It’s every week of the year. I’m excited to see what’s next for Nick now.”

    Kyrgios has shown signs of maturity recently, and looks to have found passion and motivation for a sport he often struggles to connect with. But the 22-year-old remains without a coach and told the press on Sunday that he is enjoying the freedom of not having someone guiding him and isn’t looking to hire a mentor anytime soon.

    Federer feels hiring a coach would be beneficial to Kyrgios.

    “I didn’t have a coach for only about a year and a half. Maybe not even after I split up with Peter Lundgren, I believe, back at end of 2003. Had a trial with Tony Roche in September of ’04, I remember,” said Federer, a 19-time Grand Slam champion.

    “I think at one point it’s good to have coaches, you know, to be honest, because they remind you day by day the little things if that’s what you’re looking at. Other guys do an entire organisation for you. Some guys are really there to inspire you and motivate you. Everybody needs different type of coaching, you know. That can come from any angle. Doesn’t almost necessarily need to be a tennis coach, per se.

    “But I’m sure Nick has got some people in his team that where he gets what he needs for the matches to be honest.”

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