Naomi Osaka reveals she admires Nick Kyrgios because he is never afraid to be his real self and also insists that there is a very kind side to the Australian that only "a few people see."
In 2022, the Japanese tennis star and the seven-time ATP champion practiced together in Los Angeles and also got to know each other a bit.
Since then, they have been trading praises and are now even business partners - earlier this year, the 29-year-old teamed up with Osaka's production company Hana Kuma to launch the Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast.
While the four-time Grand Slam champion thinks very highly of the 29-year-old, it is not a secret that some other players or members of the tennis community don't feel that way.
“Nick is a dynamic person both on and off the court. I am really drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are and aren’t afraid to show all aspects of themselves. I also think there is a side to Nick few people see, but I can say he has a very big heart and, for him, giving back is really important, and that is a quality I admire about him," the 27-year-old told Harper's Bazaar.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up is set to return to tennis after missing the last two seasons due to knee and wrist surgeries. His comeback will officially start at the Brisbane International and he is also set to play the Australian Open after entering via a protected ranking.
But before Brisbane, the former world No. 13 will also compete at this week's exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi - the World Tennis League.
For Kyrgios, certainly the main thing in the next couple of weeks is that he avoids any physical setbacks early in his return and stays healthy.
