Posted April 02, 2017 15:00:15

Photo: Nick Kyrgios is being built up as a potential challenger at the upcoming grand slams. (AP: Wilfredo Lee)

Nick Kyrgios is vowing to keep his head down after confirming his status as a grand slam champion in waiting.

Kyrgios drew rich praise even in defeat for his class and sportsmanship in his pulsating semi-final against Roger Federer at Miami Open.

But the 21-year-old has also convinced some of the game's greats, including six-time grand slam champion and former world number one Boris Becker, that he is on the path to major glory after a sustained run of excellence on the ATP Tour.

After claiming more top-10 scalps than anyone apart from Novak Djokovic in 2016, Kyrgios has taken his game to new levels this season.

He has beaten Djokovic twice during his charge to two semi-finals and two quarters in his past four events before falling two points shy of becoming the first player to conquer the Serb and Federer in his first two meetings with the grand slam giants.

Becker, who split with Djokovic in December after three years in the world number two's corner, has jumped on the Kyrgios bandwagon and challenged his former charge to get his act together after a forgettable start to 2017.

Having also reached the semis in Miami last year, Kyrgios failed to improve his world number 16 ranking.

But bookmakers rank the Australian much higher, with Kyrgios listed as the sixth favourite to win Wimbledon this year and on the seventh line of betting even to reign on the Paris clay, his least successful slam.

Kyrgios attributes his newfound consistency to his improved work ethic.

"I've made an effort to try and put in the work every day. It hasn't been easy," the coachless Kyrgios said after his 7-6 (11/9), 6-7 (11/9), 7-6 (7/5) loss to Federer.

"I've got a great team with me. Every day we're on the practice court trying to have fun, trying to put in.

"My draw was incredibly tough this week. I thought Karlovic third round, I could have lost there.

"Playing Goffin then Zverev and then Federer, maybe if I played a couple of easier rounds I could have got over the line (against Federer). Who knows.

"I feel like my level of tennis has always been high, but mentally I'm competing for every point. That's making the difference.

"I need to keep putting that in every day. I've got a lot of work to do. I'm 16 in the world. There are 15 players better than me."

AAP

Topics: tennis, sport, united-states