Nick Kyrgios proposes change in men’s Grand Slam format after Aryna Sabalenka’s quick US Open QF win over Zheng Qinwen
Nick Kyrgios recently proposed a change in the men’s Grand Slam format. His suggestion came after Aryna Sabalenka eased past Zheng Qinwen in the US Open quarterfinals in just 73 minutes.
Aryna Sabalenka started strong and dropped only one game to take the first set 6-1.
The Belarusian maintained her momentum, winning the second set 6-2 to eliminate the 2024 Olympic gold medalist in just over an hour.
Nick Kyrgios later highlighted the contrast between Sabalenka’s swift victory and the marathon first-round match between Dan Evans and Karen Khachanov, which became the longest match in US Open history.
The Australian suggested that men’s Grand Slam matches could be shortened to best-of-three sets, at least until the quarterfinals. Kyrgios shared his views on X (formerly Twitter).
“This match will go for just over an hour. Quarter finals. Evans / Khachanov went 5 hours and 45 mins. First round. Maybe we do best of three for the men up until the quarters? Then best of five? But this is kinda crazy,” Kyrgios wrote.
However, the 29-year-old had previously disagreed with a journalist’s claim that the women’s three-set Grand Slam format was more challenging than the men’s five-set format.
With her victory in this year’s US Open quarterfinals, Aryna Sabalenka has now improved her record in Grand Slam quarterfinals to 9-1.
Nick Kyrgios offers to coach Coco Gauff amid calls for American to ‘sack’ Brad Gilbert after her US Open title defense ends in 4R loss
Nick Kyrgios has extended an offer to coach Coco Gauff following her exit from the 2024 US Open. The Australian’s gesture comes amid growing criticism and scrutiny surrounding Gauff’s ongoing partnership with her current coach, Brad Gilbert.
Gauff’s title defense at the US Open came to a disappointing end with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to fellow American Emma Navarro in the fourth round. The 20-year-old struggled throughout the match, committing 60 unforced errors and 19 double faults at critical moments.
Following Coco Gauff’s surprising exit, fans began calling for the young American to end her partnership with coach Brad Gilbert, a sentiment that has been growing due to her inconsistent season. Despite Gilbert’s successful coaching history with players like Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, many fans believe his collaboration with Gauff has been detrimental to her performance.
One user advised the 20-year-old to “sack” Gilbert, asserting that her game has “regressed” since they began working together.
“My honest advice to @CocoGauff is to sack @bgtennisnation. He became Gauff head coach in November 2023 and her game has regressed since then. Brad loves himself more than anyone else and that doesn’t work if you are a Head Coach,” the fan posted on X.
One fan suggested Nick Kyrgios as a potential replacement for Brad Gilbert, and Kyrgios himself quickly expressed his willingness to take on the role of coaching Coco Gauff.
“I’d coach her,” he commented.
I’d coach her.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 2, 2024
