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Cheeky Kyrgios says he'll teach Venus

3 minute read

Venus Williams has said goodbye to singles at Wimbledon this year - but she still has a doubles date with Nick Kyrgios, who says it's his dream come true.

NICK KYRGIOS.
NICK KYRGIOS. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Venus Williams has said goodbye to singles at Wimbledon - perhaps even for the last time - but, first, she still has a doubles date with "bad boy" Nick Kyrgios, who reckons it's his dream come true.

Kyrgios, still on a high after his amazing opening-round win over Ugo Humbert following his six-month sabbatical, joked on Wednesday that he was even happy to give his legendary 41-year-old mixed doubles partner a few tennis tips.

The seemingly ageless five-times champ Williams, who first appeared at SW19 in 1997, was beaten in the second round 6-0 7-5 by Tunisian Ons Jabeur.

Inevitably, the question was put to her about whether she'd be back in 2022 and she smiled: "Of course. Who wouldn't want to be at Wimbledon? Lots of people want to be here.

"When it's my last, I'll let you know."

Yet whatever happens next year, she still has a big part to play in the 2021 fun and games after teaming up in a blockbuster partnership with Kyrgios - and she recently noted that she was open to giving him any advice he'd like.

When informed of this on Wednesday, Kyrgios turned the tables cheekily, responding: "Well, let's not get this twisted. There was an interview that Venus took, and she got asked, 'who would your dream doubles partner be?'

"She said, 'Nick Kyrgios'.

"So, look, I'm willing to give her any tips she wants."

At which point, Kyrgios broke into laughter and said: "No, no, no, I'm just kidding!'

"She's obviously a legend. To see her still gracing the courts of Wimbledon, winning matches at 41... At 41, I don't think I'll be able to honestly hit another ball. She's a legend.

"We've been planning to play for a while now at grand slams. It just never worked out.

"I'm not sure how long she'll play for, so before she kind of gives it up, I do want to experience playing with one of the Williams sisters in mixed doubles. Honestly that's like a dream come true for me.

"They've been around for so, so long. I think it will be a bit of fun. I think we're a bit of a danger pair as well if we serve well. The crowd will definitely get behind us.

"Maybe she can teach me some of that calm, the water-type energy that's out there. I'm just going to go out there and have fun. She's an absolute legend of the sport. I'm super-excited. I can tell she's excited, too.

"I don't think she ever thought back in the day she'd be playing mixed doubles with the bad boy of tennis."

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