IPTL star’s mom lauds Manila host

TOKYO – World No. 30 Nick Kyrgios’ mother Norlaila said yesterday she’ll never forget the enthusiastic reception that Filipino fans showered on the visiting International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) players over three days of competition at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena last year.

“I witnessed it,” said the “tennis mum” who is in Japan to accompany her son on the first leg of the IPTL’s second season in Kobe. “The atmosphere in Manila was fantastic and so was the stadium. It made you forget about the traffic outside. I wish I could visit Manila again with Nick in the second leg this weekend but I’m staying in Japan for a few days to be with my daughter (Halimah) who has an artist’s contract with the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka. But I’ll definitely be back, hopefully for the third season next year.”

Kyrgios, 20, was in Manila to play for the Singapore Slammers last year. In the tie against the hometown Mavericks, Kyrgios replaced Lleyton Hewitt to team up with Tomas Berdych and lost to Treat Huey and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-5, in men’s doubles. He also lost to Andy Murray, 6-5, in the men’s singles. The Mavericks beat Singapore, 27-19, in the match.

This year, Kyrgios returns with the Slammers. His teammates are Murray, Dustin Brown, doubles specialist Marcelo Melo, legend Carlos Moya, Belinda Bencic and Karolina Pliskova. Murray was a late replacement for world No. 1 Novak Djokovic who has begged off from participating this season. In the coming Manila leg, Singapore will play Japan on Sunday and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. The Slammers take the day off on Monday.

Kyrgios is one of 10 IPTL players ranked in the world top 30. His highest ranking was No. 25 last June and he has earned over $1.7 Million since turning pro three years ago. At the 2014 Wimbledon, he caused a major stir in defeating France’s Richard Gasquet, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals. At the time, it was unthinkable for Kyrgios, ranked world No. 144, to beat Gasquet or Nadal. Kyrgios was particularly impressive in storming back from two sets down at 0-2 and surviving nine match points to outlast Gasquet in the second round. At this year’s Wimbledon, Gasquet turned the tables on Kyrgios and won their rematch in the fourth round. Gasquet, ranked World No. 9, is playing for the Philippine Mavericks in the IPTL this season.

A feisty performer known as an attacking baseliner with a powerful forehand and a two-fisted backhand, Kyrgios defeated Roger Federer, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 at the Madrid Open this year and lists the Mavericks’ Milos Raonic as one of his victims. At the French Open, this year, he partnered with IPTL founder and Indian doubles legend Mahesh Bhupathi in men’s doubles but the tandem bowed out in the first round.

Kyrgios’ mother was born to Malaysian royalty but didn’t meet her father until she was 21. Norlaila, 55, was raised by her grandmother in Malaysia and taken to Australia when she was 12. Norlaila’s mother was an actress who was married six times. Twists of fate brought Norlaila to live in Australia where she met her Greek husband George, a self-employed house painter, and became a computer engineer. Her eldest Christos, 28, is a lawyer practicing in Australia and Halimah, the middle child, is a performing artist. Kyrgios is the youngest.

“I’m writing a book on my life,” said Norlaila who renounced her status as a Malaysian princess when she migrated to Australia with a half-sister. “It’s about fate. It’s also about working hard to make your dreams come true. You’ll never know what fate awaits you but I know your destiny is written in the stars. Since I was born, I’ve met my mother. My grandmother raised me and took me to Australia. I still have relatives in Malaysia and I try to visit as often as I can with my family. Nick is very proud of his Malaysian and Greek roots.” Aside from cheering her son from the sidelines, she handles his books and finances. The charming “tennis mum” is also accessible and accommodating to media.

Kyrgios was introduced to tennis at the age of six and took up lessons a year later. When he was 10, Kyrgios began participating in U12 tournaments As he got taller, Kyrgios played basketball, too. But at the age of 14, he decided to focus on tennis. The 6-4 Kyrgios remains a serious basketball fan who roots for the Boston Celtics and is a fan of Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Michael Jordan, not to mention Australian NBA players like Dante Exum and Patty Mills.

Informed that Australian star golfer Jason Day is half-Filipino, Norlaila said she didn’t know it but isn’t surprised because of globalization. Her son is half-Malaysian and he, too, has become a sports icon in Australia. Kyrgios and his parents wear the same circular jade necklaces for good luck.