Nick Kyrgios in advanced talks to become co-owner of Australian basketball side

11 January 2023 , 12:38

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Basketball fan Nick Kyrgios is in 'advanced talks' to become co-owner of an Australian NBL side. Pictured playing in a charity match last year.

Tennis player Nick Kyrgios is in 'advanced talks' to become a basketball team co-owner in his native Australia teaming up with current and former NBA stars as part of a consortium.

The Australian star is an avid basketball fan and regularly attending matches when his tennis schedule allows. Basketball insider Marc Stein says that last year's Wimbledon finalist is in negotiations to takeover NBL outfit South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Los Angeles Clippers NBA star John Wall is also reported to be part of the consortium led by American entrepreneur Romie Chaudhari. Stein tweeted: "Kyrgios would join a Romie Chaudhari-led ownership group that includes John Wall, Zach Randolph, Al Harrington, Josh Childress and Dante Exum.'

World No.21 Kyrgios is an avid fan of NBA team Boston Celtics and says that when they lose it impacts his concentration on the tennis court.

“I’ve literally thrown tennis matches if they’ve lost in like, double overtime,” he previously told Sports Illustrated. “If someone plays me and they know the Celtics have lost, that’s [their] chance. That is for sure your best chance [to beat me], to play me on that day."

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Speaking about his obsession with the Celtics the Australian star added: "'I literally watch like live streams, everything. I barely miss a game and if they lose I am in a pretty bad mood.'

Nick Kyrgios took part in the Sydney Kings Starlight Celebrity Game last year

When not on the ATP Tour tennis circuit Kyrgios has been seen attending Sydney Kings games so has knowledge of the Australian NBL.

In 2017 Nick Kyrgios found himself in hot water after playing in a mixed basketball match while missing a tennis tournament due to injury. The tennis star had withdrawn from the Atlanta Open with a hip problem before being pictured on the basketball court in his home town of Canberra.

Nick Kyrgios watches Minnesota Timberwolves play the Houston Rockets in the NBA last year

Kyrgios has previously spoken about using the sport to relax while maintaining his fitness. He added: "Basketball is my meditation but at the same time, it's good fitness as well. People don't realise that defensive slides and defensive movements of basketball are almost identical to the way people move on a tennis court."

On the tennis court Kyrgios faces a race to return to fitness ahead of next week's Australian Open. The 27-year-old was forced to pull out of two tournaments in preparation for the Grand Slam due to an injury.

In a bid to regain fitness the Australian has arranged a sold-out exhibition match against 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic

Benjamin Goddard