Kyrgios ponders larger meanings as success arrives

Cincinnati, United States: Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios thought of the grandparents who nurtured his dream and his low point earlier this month.

Kyrgios defeated Spain’s David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) at the ATP Cincinnati Masters to book a Sunday finals date with 11th-ranked Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in a matchup of Masters finals debutantes.

On a television camera lens, Kyrgios wrote “74 + 89 R.I.P.” in tribute to grandmother Julianah Foster, who died in 2014 at 74, and grandfather Christos Kyrgios, who died in April.

“He never missed a match. That was one thing,” Kyrgios said. “And my grandma that passed away, she was pretty much my mum for the most part of my life. I have been pretty crazy ever since she left. They were unbelievable support. It was tough. I can’t really talk about it too much.

“Kyrgios often mentions how little tennis means in the overall scheme of things, as he cherishes time with family and friends,” he added.