New Kyrgios mindset to be tested in New York

New York crowds have seen all sides of Nick Kyrgios barring his best one at the US Open but fans may hope for more than a cranky cameo from the Australian firebrand this year. By the time the final Grand Slam of the calendar rolls around, Kyrgios is usually tired, jaded and battling homesickness, which makes an early exit from Flushing Meadows seem more of a relief than disappointment. Things may be different this year, though, as Kyrgios rounds off the most productive season of his rollercoaster career.

His maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon was almost as surprising to the 27-year-old as to his compatriots, many of whom had long written him off as a threat at the majors. Since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon decider, Kyrgios claimed the Citi Open title in a superb run of form before his nine-match winning streak was ended by Pole Hubert Hurkacz in Montreal. That was followed by another setback in Cincinnati where he crashed out early with a customary rant at the chair umpire in defeat to Taylor Fritz.

However, the extra rest may be just what the Australian needs before New York amid reports of knee trouble. "I am taking it one day at a time. I am not even looking ahead," Kyrgios said in Montreal.

"Like there's no guarantees that even if I go into the US Open fresh that I'm going to do well. "There's so much effort going into my everyday routine now ... I think it is the best way to live my life is to just go day-by-day, try to be a bit better every day." Having often expressed disdain for the grind of the tour, Kyrgios now speaks of having a new mindset, if not a new-found love for the game.