Debutant inspired by countrymen

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a backhand. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN teenager Nick Kyrgios says he's drawn inspiration from the summer form of leading countrymen Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic as he prepares to make his Australian Open debut.

The 18-year-old will face German world No.81 Benjamin Becker in the first round at Melbourne Park after earning a wildcard into the men's draw.

While his own path into the Open was disrupted by shoulder injury, Kyrgios said he had taken confidence from the performances of Brisbane International winner Hewitt and Sydney International runner-up Tomic.

``I did a lot of training with Bernard in the pre-season and he is really knuckling down. It showed last week how far he has come," Kyrgios said.

``He is playing (Rafael) Nadal this week and I don't think Nadal is going to be resting easy playing Bernard, he is playing some really good tennis.

``Obviously those guys are setting a good example for us next generation.''

The junior champion at Melbourne Park last year, Kyrgios was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane and Sydney lead-in tournaments but yesterday declared his injured shoulder ready for his first Australian Open.

``I have done all the right things for it the last couple of weeks,'' Kyrgios said.

``Unfortunately, I couldn't play Brisbane or Sydney, but it's feeling good and I think it will hold up for the Australian Open.''

Despite his interrupted preparation, Kyrgios said he had made big strides since his junior title win last year and was confident he could perform on the big stage.

``I have had a lot of experience the last year,'' Kyrgios said.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a backhand return. Source: AFP

``I played a couple of main draw men's grand slam and I am accustomed to the experience and how it feels so I am confident that I will go out there and perform pretty well.''

Kyrgios considered his first-round opponent Becker, who has not progressed beyond the second round in six apperances at Melbourne Park, a solid player on the tour.

``It could be a lot worse, but he has obviously proven himself to be a solid player on the tour, he has been around for a long time,'' he said.

``I am going to go out there and do what I do best and we'll see how it goes.''

Fellow Australian wildcard, 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis, said he would be backing his own game when he takes on Dutch world No.69 Igor Sijsling in his first Grand Slam main draw match tomorrow (Tuesday).

``You have got to think every match is winable otherwise you have no chance of winning,'' Kokkinakis said.

``That's what I am going to go in with. I have beaten some good players the last couple of weeks so that gives me confidence, especially for this first round.

``I will probably be a little bit nervous coming out but then I have just got to focus on playing the ball and play my game.''

Kokkinakis believed this week's forecast extreme heat could help the Australian players, who are used to the conditions.

``We have grown up and brought up here so we we used to the weather a little bit,'' he said.

``Some of the European guys just came from really cold so I think we've got the advantage there. I feel pretty fit and I'm sure Nick does as well with the off-seasons that we've had.''

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