Nick Kyrgios wants the John Cain Arena at the Australian Open to take his name and has insisted he will present a petition to tournament chiefs asking for the change. The 29-year-old could return to the venue for the first time in three years in January if he is fit enough to play at the first Grand Slam of 2025 following a lengthy injury absence.
Kyrgios has played at the John Cain Arena 15 times throughout his career and has tasted success on the court on 12 occasions.
His last match at the venue came in 2022 when he overcame British star Liam Broady in straight sets in a first round encounter.
Kyrgios appeared on The AO Show podcast this week to discuss his favourite Australian Open moments.
And the 2022 Wimbledon finalist said: “I really want to put a petition in, when I’m done, to call it the Kyrgios Court, instead of John Cain Arena.
“I genuinely think if we called it the Kyrgios Court it’d be a lot cooler, and we’d create a bit more buzz. ‘Oh you played on the Kyrgios Court?’ Because then it’s known for being a bit of a chaotic, zoo-like atmosphere, I think, and then people will think about some of the best times I had on it.
“And just how chaotic the crowd was going. Sometimes I was like, ‘This place is ridiculously loud.’ I don’t know what it is about that court, but hopefully I’ll be able to play on it again this year.”
Kyrgios defeated Karen Khachanov in an epic five-set encounter at the arena in 2020 as the match was decided by a tiebreak.
And the Aussie superstar explained: “I think the Khachanov match in the third round of the Australian Open, when it was like a four hour and 50 minute grind, and it was probably one of the most insane energies I’ve ever been a part of. The crowd was absolutely going insane, and it was special.”
He added: “The court just feels amazing, I think I just love the dimensions of it. Even though every single court’s got the same dimensions, it’s just the backdrop and everything about it. I like how the crowd’s really close.”
Kyrgios’ best run in the singles at the Australian Open came in 2015 when he reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to Andy Murray.
The star is a doubles champion, however, after clinching success with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022 when the duo defeated Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the showpiece match.
