Rafael Nadal, Rodger Federer and Novak Djokovic are among the top three names that appear when it comes to the most popular tennis icons in the world. It seems Nick Kygios has joined their elite company with an off-the-court milestone.
Nick Kyrgios hasn’t competed on the court since May 2023, but it seems the player has seen substantial hike in his follower count. Kyrgios has now reached 4.2 million Instagram followers, becoming the second most followed tennis player outside the Big Three.
Kyrgios boasts of 4.2 million followers
Nick Kyrgios revealed that he is more relatable than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in certain life things and that’s why he grew one of the largest fan bases outside the Big Three. After the Big Three, Carlos Alcaraz has the most Instagram followers with 4.3 million.
Rafael Nadal has not taken to the court since pulling out midway from the 2023 Australian Open gaining over 1.5 million followers in the last three months to hit the 20 million milestone, trailed by Novak Djokovic with 13.8 million and Roger Federer 12 million followers. Nick Kyrgios is now fifth on the list.
“On social media, I have, you know, one of the largest followings outside of the big three, and I feel like that’s been a big driver for me. I realized how many kids were actually looking up to me. I’m just relatable,” Kyrgios said on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast.
“Like, I am normal guy who makes normal issues. You know, I’ve had moments where I was drinking too much. I feel like I have very relatable problems. The following, I feel that now. Like, wherever I go, I know I’m playing for a lot of people, which is cool.”
“Because, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, they are not reachable for a lot of people. Like these guys are not normal. I’ve been on the tour for 10 years so, I feel like my fan base is pretty solid. A lot of people hate me though, and that’s alright”, Nick Kyrgios added.
Who did Nick Kyrgios lose to in Wimbledon final
Nick Kyrgios was defeated by Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon final in 2022, the first grand slam final in Kyrgios’ career. Djokovic defied heatwave conditions against 28-years-old Kyrgios to coolly clinch a seventh Wimbledon crown and with a steely 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory.
During the game, Nick Kyrgios threatened to unravel after being given a code violation for swearing in the fifth game of the pivotal third set after claiming he was distracted by a mouthy spectator in the crowd. “She’s drunk out of her mind, so kick her out”, Kyrgios pleaded with the French umpire.
Nick Kyrgios was later fined $US14,000 for spitting on their hallowed grass courts and calling an umpire a disgrace during a tempestuous first week of the championships.
Nick Kyrgios is currently ranked world No. 134 after several months on inactivity. However, he does have a protected ranking of 21 because of his injury problems. Protected rankings are granted by the ATP when a player misses more than six months of tennis because of injury.
