Nick Kyrgios has to avoid 'next big thing' category, says Mark Philippoussis

"There's some guys who are supposed to be the next big thing and are so incredibly talented that they do amazing things, but it just doesn't happen"

By Raz Mirza

Thursday 24 May 2018 14:28, UK

Mark Philippoussis hopes Nick Kyrgios does not fall into the category of failing to become "the next big thing".

Kyrgios beat American Ryan Harrison to claim the Brisbane International in straight sets on Sunday. The 6-4 6-2 win was his fourth title on the ATP tour and his first on home soil.

The 22-year-old is a polarising figure in Australian sport - his superb tennis skills are often marred by poor behaviour on court.

Philippoussis has warned Kyrgios to avoid the hype surrounding him ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne and look at world No 4 Alexander Zverev as an example of a player who has the consistency, hunger and desire to win titles.

"You look at some other sports - NBA players, there's some guys who are supposed to be the next big thing and are so incredibly talented that they do amazing things, but it just doesn't happen. So I hope he [Kyrgios] doesn't get into that category," said Philippoussis.

"Then there's somebody like Zverev. The kid's talented, maybe not as talented, but he wants it. You can see he's hungry and you can see he wants it on the court. He's training and he's competing out there, and that's just the difference in my opinion.

"It's different playing one or two matches and being up for one or two matches, but for a Grand Slam you need to be up to win seven matches that are best-of-five [sets] for two weeks. That's a different story."