The Australian, who gave a hilarious cooking demonstration at a Citibank-sponsored tennis dinner prior to the tournament, turned the heat back on on Thursday, overtaking young Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-4 6-0 in just over an hour.
“I’m just excited to be back at this tournament. It’s been a few years because of the (coronavirus) pandemic and taking time off to get my body and mind in order,” he told reporters after the win.
“My body feels as good as it has ever felt. I feel like I’m moving and playing really well. It’s good to be back.”
Kyrgios had become as known in recent years for his antics and outbursts on the pitch as he was for his stellar serve.
But he said he is finally free from the pain in his left knee that has plagued him for the past year and a half and that he is in a great place emotionally.
When asked what contributed to his improved mentality, he smiled and pointed to Hatzi, who was sitting in the front row of the press conference.
“I had a really hard time. I wasn’t happy,” he said.
“The tennis world wanted me to be a certain player, and I tried to be something that I haven’t been for so many years. It put me in a dark position. I disappointed people, I got into fights with my family. It was tough” , he said.
“One day I looked in the mirror and said this isn’t the type of person I’m trying to be. And now I’m a completely different person. I’m comfortable in my own skin, I’m not I’m not trying to please anyone, I try not to be anyone else.
“I’m Nick Kyrgios and I just go out and play and have fun and if I win I win and if I lose I lose.
“Life is good.”
When asked how he celebrated the Grand Slam doubles championship he won with childhood friend Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open in January, the 26-year-old said they took different paths.
“He stayed in Melbourne for three days and I took the first flight with my girlfriend and we went back to Sydney.
“I’ve grown up, man,” he added with a smile.
Kyrgios, who was a wildcard at Indian Wells, will face 32nd seeded Argentine Federico Delbonis next Saturday.