As Nick Kyrgios is set to partner up with Naomi Osaka for the return of the mixed-doubles US Open competition, he was spotted watching her on at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios, who withdrew from Wimbledon due to injuries, appeared mid-match alongside Osaka’s coaching team, including coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Osaka is looking forward to the event and said she didn’t know Kyrgios was there during her post-match presser on Monday.
“Oh he was there? I didn’t hear anything,” Osaka said.
“I jokingly told someone ‘hey, I know Nick’s around, maybe he wants to come to my match’. But I was joking… That’s a little embarrassing that he was there. But yeah, I guess it was cool that he was there.”
Kyrgios carries a strong sense of individuality that has a mixed response from people but Osaka seems to understand the position he has been in.
“I am really excited to play mixed doubles with him,” she said.
“I think he’s obviously won a doubles tournament. Yeah, I think it should be fun. I don’t know, I have always felt like I’ve always related to him in a weird way, even though we’re completely different. I kind of understand some of the things that he does.
“So yeah, I am glad that he came to my match. I hope in some way maybe he felt I wouldn’t be bold enough to say ‘inspired’, but I hope he could relate a little bit to the things that I do, too.”
