Sam Querrey thinks Nick Kyrgios’ “stick is to play the victim card,” but the American tennis star also adds that stuff works for the Australian and has made him one of the most popular players in the world.

After impressively upsetting Rafael Nadal and reaching the 2014 Wimbledon quarterfinal as a 19-year-old teenager in his debut, Kyrgios’ tennis drew lots of positive attention. However, it is not a secret that the Australian was also prone to some controversial stuff, which also quickly made him one of the most criticized and scrutinized players. 

Some of the harshest criticism came Kyrgios’ way from none the media, who labeled as “the tennis villain” and “the bad boy of tennis.” The Australian, who is now 30 years old, admitted in one of his past interviews that it hurt him to be labeled that way because he considered himself a kind and genuine individual. 

Also, there had been cases when Kyrgios claimed that he was being criticized only because he was an easy target for the public – and not because he had done something wrong.

During the latest episode of the Nothing Major Show, Querrey – a former 10-time ATP champion – had a take on the matter.

Querrey: Kyrgios kind of plays the victim card all the time for no reason, but that’s his stick

“I feel like he just kind of looks for fights. He thinks he’s all, he kind of plays the victim card all the time for no reason, but that’s his stick. That’s why he’s so popular. If you ask someone around the world, an average sports fan, ‘Who do you want to watch play tennis?’ they’ll say Sinner, Alcaraz, Novak, Federer, Nadal… Kyrgios makes that list because Nick stirs up controversy and has all these, not crazy takes, but outbursts, and that’s what makes him popular. So for me, it’s Kyrgios versus the world,” Querrey said on the Nothing Major Show. 

Love or hate Kyrgios, one thing cannot be denied about him – he sells tickets as well as anyone in the game.