When it comes to colorful personalities in tennis, few rival Nick Kyrgios. The Australian, known for his immense talent and controversial statements, reached the pinnacle of his career in 2022 by making the Wimbledon final. However, his reputation extends beyond his skills on the court, as Kyrgios is never shy about sharing bold opinions.
As Roland Garros 2025 reached its final stages, Kyrgios entertained fans with a playful game for Bleacher Report, drawing comparisons between the four semifinalists—Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Lorenzo Musetti—and NBA players.
“This is my take on comparing the best players at Roland Garros to NBA stars,” Kyrgios began, kicking off his analysis with Djokovic. “For me, it’s pretty obvious: Novak Djokovic is like LeBron James. The longevity, what they’re still doing close to 40, they’re super relevant, and everyone knows who they are,” he explained.
Next, Kyrgios shifted focus to 22-year-old Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who would go on to claim the Roland Garros title. “Let’s move to Alcaraz now. To me, he’s clearly like Luka Doncic. Both of them have magic, they make it all look easy, and they’re always smiling,” Kyrgios continued.
“For Jannik Sinner, I’d say he’s like Jayson Tatum. Both were highly successful at a young age—Tatum won the championship last year, and Sinner has already captured three Grand Slam titles,” Kyrgios added. “Lastly, Lorenzo Musetti reminds me of Tyler Herro. Both had breakout years recently and have delivered big results”.
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Kyrgios: A career of talent and setbacks
Nick Kyrgios’ brilliance on the court is as undeniable as the controversy that has surrounded him throughout his career. At 30, the Australian brought a breath of fresh air to the tennis world during the height of the “Big Three” era.
His irreverent style—marked by underhand serves, tweeners, surprise drop shots, and an unmistakable showmanship—made him a fan favorite worldwide. While his consistency was often questioned, Kyrgios climbed as high as No. 13 in the world rankings in 2016, capturing seven ATP titles (three 250-level and four 500-level). Kyrgios’ crowning moment came at Wimbledon 2022, where he reached the final before falling to Novak Djokovic in four sets after winning the opener.
Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Kyrgios in recent years, keeping him off the court for extended periods. While he hasn’t formally announced his retirement, it’s uncertain if the Australian will return to competing regularly or at a high level again.
