Greek-Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is back on the tennis court for the first time since his controversial display during Australia’s successful Davis Cup quarterfinal in Darwin last month.
And perhaps looking to put a tumultuous few months behind him, the rising Aussie tennis star has opted for a fresh new look in the hair department at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
Kyrgios looked very much like a tub of Neapolitan ice-cream with this tripartite hairdo which is blonde on one side, pink on the other and his natural black on top.
His new look aside, Kyrgios made a positive start to the tournament by defeating Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-3 4-6 6-4 under the watchful eye of new mentor Lleyton Hewitt at the ATP Montreal Masters.
The world No. 41 is working alongside Australia’s double grand slam winner in an informal capacity, with the 34-year-old Hewitt happy to help out the 20-year-old.
But Kyrgios says the arrangement remains flexible and fluid, with Hewitt also attending to his own business on court as he goes into the final months of a career due to end early in 2016 after playing in his last Australian Open.
“He’s not my coach. Let’s clear that up now,” said Kyrgios after his victory in 95 minutes over Spain’s Verdasco in a first-time meeting featuring 15 aces off the Aussie racquet.
“He’s more of a mentor. Lleyton is very kind to take time away from his family and his career to help me and Thanasi (Kokkinakis). We don’t know how long it will last but it is a great help.
“I came from a place (Canberra) where it’s really cold right now. I’ve been practising indoors.
“Conditions here are tough, and the humidity doesn’t help,” he said after a two-hour rain delay in Montreal. “I’ve never sweated so much as I did today.” Kyrgios called his win over Verdasco acceptable: “I was pleased to get a win over a quality opponent,” he said before moving into a second-round clash with French Open champion and third seed Stan Wawrinka. “I’m really happy with myself. The courts here are bouncy and lively. I knew I had to take control even if I didn’t serve that well.
“I’m pleased with how I finished in the third set. I competed well and that’s the main thing.
“Stan is playing unbelievable tennis. He’s got a big everything — forehand, backhand. I’ll go out there, play my game and see how it goes.”
It was a different story when Kyrgios joined Hewitt in the doubles competition. The Aussie duo were ousted 7-5 6-4 by Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Jo Tsonga.
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