Australia’s Nick Kyrgios said he was “bored” during his straight-sets win over Sam Querrey as he extended his hot run of form at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.
The outspoken 21-year-old, who lifted the Japan Open trophy on Sunday, won 6-4, 6-4 in just 53 minutes as he cantered past the American world number 29 and into round two.
Afterwards Kyrgios, who is at a career-high 12th in the rankings and eyeing the top 10, suggested he wasn’t at his best so soon after his long week in Tokyo.
“I was just a little bit bored at times,” he said, when asked why he wasn’t his usual vocal self on court. “I was feeling very tired today.
“I didn’t have the greatest sleep last night and obviously got in late the day before, and the ride to the courts isn’t great either.
“It was just tough. I’m just tired today, so maybe I just wanted to get the job done.”
The Shanghai Masters, held at the Qi Zhong Stadium complex one hour from the city centre, is perhaps not a favourite tournament for Australia’s number one.
Last year he was slapped with a $1,500 fine for an audible obscenity in a tirade in which he slammed the event as a “circus” and complained about the ball kids, according to reports.
However, Kyrgios now presents a more focused figure after teaming with British strength and conditioning expert Martin Skinner in recent weeks.
“I just trust him. He tells me what to do and I do it. I think that’s one thing I’ve improved on the most, the off-court stuff,” Kyrgios said of Skinner.
