Nick Kyrgios is coming into 2020 with a new attitude and is warming everyone’s hearts along the way. Maybe the emotional gravity of the Australian fires impacted him. Or maybe his love of team tennis and his teammates has turned it around. Maybe it’s Maturity. Maybe it’s a combination of all those things and coming to terms with his talent. Whatever it is, we’ve all been loving this version of Nick Kyrgios, who has now secured a place in the third round of his home slam.

It all started at the ATP Cup in Australia where Nick got emotional on court when asked about the fires, which have also impacted his hometown of Canberra. Nick pledged to donate $200 to bushfire relief per ace, and soon many others followed. His pledge continues into the Australian Open. Even McEnroe has gotten himself into the mix, he pledged $1,000 to bushfire relief for every set that Nick Kyrgios wins at the Australian Open. Nick sure is contagious. Aside from his noble pledges, Nick has been positive and has displayed some of his best behavior in both Australia’s semifinal appearance at the ATP Cup and his first two rounds at the Australian Open. He did mock Nadal for a brief stint during his match with Simon. Although, Simon did the same. And the crowd were all laughs. All in good fun.

Behavior and attitude aside, his play has been dominant and focused. He’s lost one set on his way to the third round, and his first true test will come in the form of #16 Karen Khachanov, whom he lost to in the second round of Cincinnati last year in three sets. I’m sure Kyrgios would rather forget that match, one in which he was in complete control of and proceed to melt down and lose.

However, this is a different Kyrgios! And if he gets past Khachanov, we’re going to see him most probably play Nadal in the fourth round. And as I always say, when Nadal and Kyrgios meet – it’s fireworks!