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| Nick Kyrgois with his mother Norlaila, who was born into Malaysia's Pahang royal family. () |
By Sophie Johnson
The Australian Open is well underway in Melbourne, serving up some of the biggest names in the sport and players from around the world.
One of Australia's biggest personalities in Tennis, Nick Kyrgios, has a fascinating ancestral history beyond his career, which has been marked by headline-grabbing achievements and controversies.
Off the court, Kyrgios carries a multicultural heritage that includes a royal connection to Malaysia.
The royal roots of Norlaila Kyrgios
Kyrgios's mother, Norlaila, was born into Malaysia’s PaHang royal family as a “Tengku” or princess.
However, in her twenties, she made the life-altering decision to renounce her royal title and move to Australia in the pursuit of new opportunities.
It was there she met Kyrgios's father, George, a Greek house painter, and became a computer engineer.
Norlaila's royal roots remain a source of pride for Kyrgios, who speaks fondly of his mother's Malaysian heritage.
His mother's health challenges have prevented her from attending his matches, but her support remains strong.
After Kyrgios's famous four set victory against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014, Norlaila spoke with Malaysian media about the family’s cultural pride.
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| Nick Kyrgios is half Malaysian, half Greek.() |
"Nick is very close to his Malaysian family, whom he has visited many times," she told media.
"He even played tennis at Cameron Highlands the last time we were in Malaysia.
"The entire Kyrgios family is very close to my family. I want Malaysians to take pride in Nick's achievements as Malaysian blood runs through his veins."
Kyrgios said that inspiration from his mother helped him stay motivated during that match.
Staying close to his Malaysian heritage
Despite being born and raised in Canberra, Kyrgios has maintained a strong connection to his Malaysian roots, thanks to his mother's influence.
The athlete has visited his extended family in Gombak multiple times, immersing himself in the traditions and culture of his maternal lineage.
In April 2024, Kyrgios and his girlfriend Hatzi, travelled to Malaysia visiting iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves.
During the visit, Kyrgios proudly donned the traditional baju Melayu, and shared photos on Instagram, one captioned, “Peoplealways forget half Greek half Malaysian… Kygs in full baju Melayu.”
The trip coincided with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, one of Malaysia's most significant cultural celebrations, where Kyrgios joined his family for the festivities.
Australian Open performance
Nick Kyrgios' much-anticipated return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open 2025 concluded with a first-round exit.
Facing British number three, Jacob Fearnley, Kyrgios was defeated in straight sets.
The match, held at John Cain Arena, marked his first Grand Slam appearance since 2022, following a hiatus due to injuries.
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| Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts to defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in their men's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London July 1, 2014.() |
Despite the support of the home crowd, Kyrgios struggled physically, requiring medical attention for an abdominal strain during the match.
In the post-match press conference, Kyrgios expressed uncertainty about his future in singles, citing ongoing physical challenges.
In the doubles round with teammate Thanasi Kokkinakis, the pair had to medically retire from the match.
Affectionately dubbed "Special Ks" — both players walked in with injuries from their single campaigns.
While Kyrgios received medical treatment during a break for his abdominal strain, it was Kokkinakis who was unable to continue due to his pectoral concern, which restricted his serves.
First published at ABC News, January 20, 2025
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