KUALA LUMPUR: Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios may have lost in the first round but his star appeal is still on the rise after a meeting with 100 fans at the Putra Stadium yesterday.
The 19-year-old Kyrgios went out after losing to compatriot Marinko Matosevic in a closely contested tie on Tuesday.
But the world No. 51 put the disappointment behind him as he mingled with fans, most of them young girls, with his Malaysian-born mother, Norlaila, for 30 minutes.
It was an exciting moment for his local supporters who got to ask Kyrgios a variety of questions, among others whether he is still single.
Kyrgios, who shot to fame after beating Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon this year, answered, “Yes I am single, but I am focusing on my tennis career for now.”
Fans also asked Kyrgios whether Federer was better than Nadal and who was the young Aussie’s inspiration.
Kyrgios picked Federer and pointed out that former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt was his only inspiration while growing up because he is also from Australia.
Kyrgios will still have a chance to show the crowd what he’s capable off when he partners local player Syed Agil Syed Naguib in the doubles. They take on second seeds Jamie Murray-John Peers today.
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