By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, January 26, 2016

 

"I think he's a great player. He's got sick power, and it's going to take him a long way," said Roger Federer of Nick Kyrgios.

Photo credit: Getty

Nick Kyrgios' mother, Nil, has urged her son to behave more like Roger Federer.

The Grand Slam king believes Kyrgios is a massive talent with major potential.

Video: Nice Catch, Kid!

Federer says Kyrgios possesses "sick power" and suggests it will make him a major title contender—if the volatile Aussie can understand the importance of the next couple of years to career success. Federer, who hosted Kyrgios at a training session in Switzerland before his run to the 2014 Wimbledon quarterfinals, says he enjoys watching the 20-year-old power player.

"Nick came to Switzerland that one time. We practiced before his big run at Wimbledon maybe," Federer told the media in Melbourne. "I was already unbelievably impressed at his sheer power, his talent, his potential, all that. It goes way back.

"I think he's a great player. I think he's enjoyable to watch. I know some people might not like it. I like it. He's got a lot of personality. Might take it far to some extent, but I think he's a great player. He's got sick power, and it's going to take him a long way. I just think the next couple years are going to be so crucial for him, and I just hope he's aware of that fact."

Last May, Kyrgios clawed his way through a tense battle with Federer, finally converting his sixth match point to subdue the Swiss, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (12), in Madrid. Frustration from some missed calls and Kyrgios' antics and arguments prompted Federer to strike a sarcastic shot uttering the memorable Fed-ism: "we need a clown for this circus."

Nill Kyrgios, Nick's mother, told the Australian media that Federer was her son's tennis hero growing up "mainly because of his backhand."

"But also the fact he doesn't lose his temper much and goes about his business," Nill Kyrgios told The Age. "Nick loves causing havoc that's all I have to say, he likes to stir the pot."

Federer said like Kyrgios, he went through growing pains in his younger years, and took the time to establish his identity with media and fans.

"It just takes time for people to get to know you. I had the same thing," Federer said. "I felt very misunderstood many times when I was younger. I felt like I had to put in a lot of work with the press so they first knew who I was so they could relay the messages to the public, the broader public, the right way.

"So in a way I always feel like it's really interesting and nice to see a youngster grow up in the public eye. But then at the same time, you also have the negatives, you know. Of course, he's fighting that a little bit. But I think he's doing okay now, better now. He needs to, obviously, for what happened last year."

Asked what advice he would offer the 30th-ranked Aussie, Federer said Kyrgios must realize the time for discipline and commitment is now.

"The advice I would give him, just that he's aware of the fact how important the next couple of years are. Otherwise the train leaves the station and you're maybe not on it," Federer said. "It would be a pity to waste talent and all that even more so in this day and age because I feel talent brought you further back in the day. Just talking about a guy who has talent and potential, I can't hear it anymore. Too many guys have talent. Too many guys are working hard. I don't believe in that very much anymore."