Nick Kyrgios possibly needs to win a Grand Slam however he has his priorities straight and would nonetheless simply decide $20 million over a Main title.
After having two main surgical procedures, the 29-year-old is about to launch his comeback on the Brisbane Worldwide between December 29 – January 05. Since confirming that his return would occur, the Australian made it completely clear that changing into a Slam winner could be his No. 1 purpose.
Forward of his comeback, Kyrgios agreed to be a visitor on the newly-launched Nothing Main podcast, which is hosted by former American tennis stars John Isner, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Steve Johnson. At one level, Querrey requested the previous world No. 13 to decide on between a Slam title and $20 million.
“$20 million, are you critical? Dude, come on,” Kyrgios responded.
Querrey attempted to lower the number and see what happens, asking: “$10 million?”
However, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist remained unfazed, responding: “$10 million, right now? I’m just saying a Slam is not that important. I guess we found out that tennis is still very business like, it’s sort of a business thing to me.”
How much money Kyrgios has earned so far in his career?
Since turning pro in 2013, the Australian tennis star has collected around $12.5 million in tournament prize money. However, it should be noted that pretty much all of that money was earned before the 2023 season – he appeared in only match during the 2023 and 2024 season.
Off the court, Kyrgios has probably made some solid money too through his endorsement deals. Also, he worked as a tennis commentator and analyst during his time away from tennis and he also launched his own podcast.
In 2022, the 29-year-old had his best season result and money-wise. For making the Wimbledon final, he netted $1.85 million before collecting a total of $3.5 million in tournament prize money for 2022.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
Kyrgios highlighted his Slam goals; how much he could pocket for an Australian Open win?
There were times in the last two years when it was rumored that the seven-time ATP champion may not play again. But in November, the Australian officially cleared everything regarding his tennis future after confirming that he would make a comeback at the start of 2025.
That’s when he also fired a warning to his competition and shared his Slam aspirations.
“I’m coming again as a result of one thing is preserving me across the sport. I’ve overwhelmed just about each person who has been put in entrance of me, made a last of a Grand Slam, gained a doubles title in a Grand Slam, gained a number of titles and made cash. However I believe the one factor that’s now on my goal is a Grand Slam. I believe that would be the solely factor that may shut individuals up on the finish of the day. That’ll be my deep motivation,” Kyrgios told Code Sports.
This year, Jannik Sinner took home $2.1 million for his Australian Open triumph. With a slight increase planned for 2025, the returning Australian could potentially pocket around that sum if he made it all the way at Melbourne Park.
Before undergoing surgeries on his knee and wrist, Kyrgios was looking and playing like one of the best players in the game.
And despite his two-year absence from the game, former two-time US Open champion and Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter isn’t closing the doors on the prospect of the 29-year-old making a strong Australian Open run.
“You’d by no means write anybody off with the expertise that Nick has. It is fairly superb. I actually do not know what he is finished, although. A 12 months and a half off the sport … it will be attention-grabbing. I’ve no expectations or understanding about how he’s going to go. I believe it is all up within the air. If he will get to the quarters, the semis, it would not shock me. He is received an enormous sport, however then can he maintain it collectively? Can his physique and thoughts maintain collectively? They’re most likely his actually massive hurdles,” Rafter told AAP.
“He’s got a massive game. But then can he keep it together? Can his body hold up? Can his mind hold together? They’re probably his really big hurdles, especially his body. If you don’t play competitively, God, it’s a completely different thing than to training. So I really don’t know what to expect from him. I think it’s all up in the air.”
