Kyrgios a changed man since settling in Sydney with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi – former Davis Cup coach Wally Masur says bad boy ready to realise his potential after 2022 Wimbledon final
- Girlfriend Costeen Hazti is largely credited for renaissance of Nick Kyrgios
- Couple met last December, are now engaged, likely to get married next year
- Aussie tennis legend Wally Masur impressed by Kyrgios’ 2022 form on-court
Former Australian Davis Cup coach Wally Masur says he has impressed by the changes he sees in tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios, declaring his new outlook on life has him poised to finally realise his potential.
Kyrgios, 27, met Costeen Hatzi last December, with the loved up pair quickly becoming an A-list couple.
They announced their engagement in May, and a ‘obsessed’ Kyrgios plans to marry the influencer, 22, next year and start a family.
A settled life off-court has seen Kyrgios produce the best tennis of his career, with the Canberra-born entertainer a Wimbledon finalist in July.
He is now ranked 21 in the world and Masur is delighted Kyrgios’ talent is not going to waste.
A settled off-court life has resulted in the best tennis of Nick Kyrgios’ career (pictured, with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi)
Former Davis Cup coach Wally Masur has been impressed by the renaissance of Nick Kyrgios (the pair are pictured together in 2015)
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Australian Open, the former Davis Cup coach revealed Kyrgios often takes time out to help emerging stars when not travelling the world playing tournaments.
‘Nick has been living in Sydney and two days later (after the Australian Open), he was on court with a young Australian player James McCabe,’ Masur said.
‘He spends time with them, he’s talking tennis with them, he’s encouraging them and he is a really good mentor to a lot of these kids coming through.’
The status of being a grand slam winner – in doubles – has also resulted in Krygios’ hunger for the sport increasing.
Masur praised Kyrgios after he won the Australian Open doubles title with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The A-list couple announced their engagement in May, and a ‘obsessed’ Kyrgios plans to marry Ms Hatzi next year and start a family
‘I said to Nick, ‘mate, well done, you’re a grand slam champion’,’ Masur added.
‘He sort of said sheepishly, ‘yeah, it’s only doubles.’
‘Winning that whet his appetite for more. (After) Covid and a separation for the tour, he was kind of realising what he’d missed.
‘And boy, did he light it up at Wimbledon. I was really encouraged by not just the result, but the way he was playing.
‘We saw all of his ability – the full repertoire was there.’
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