Nick Kyrgios may have found what he’s been looking for: purpose.
The 22-year-old Aussie penned a heartfelt letter on the website “The Players Voice,” on Monday, opening up to the public about his desire to play for something more than money. “You hear people talk about being motivated for their kids, or a cause, or something more than just themselves,” Kyrgios wrote. “It’s inspiration, pure and simple, and it gives them focus when times are tough. There’s a reason underpinning everything. It’s a higher purpose than just collecting a pay cheque.I haven’t had that and I’ve always been envious of those who did.
“I think I’ve found my purpose in the last couple of months.”
Kyrgios elaborated, saying that his dream was bigger than tennis—he wants to help underprivileged kids, and he has the perfect plan.
“A couple of years ago I had a vision: to build a facility for disadvantaged and underprivileged kids where they could hang out, be safe and feel like they were part of a family,” he wrote. “There’d be tennis courts and basketball courts and a gym and an oval to kick the footy. There’d be things to eat and beds to sleep in.”
Kyrgios says that he is in the process of shopping for land in Melbourne to build the facility and looking for organizations to partner with. The Aussie says that everything should be “well underway” by the time next year’s Australian Open rolls around.
“For the first time, I feel like there is a reason for me to be doing what I’m doing. Tennis is a great life – we’re well paid and the perks are pretty good – but it can feel empty if you’re just doing it for the money.”