Nick Kyrgios believes Alexander Zverev's victory at Roland Garros could be the start of a dominant run.
He expressed his respect for Zverev's abilities, having previously picked him to finish number one by the end of this year.
What happened at Roland Garros?
Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, a major breakthrough after three previous losses in major finals.
This win has shifted his focus to the next challenge, participating in both singles and doubles draws at the Terra Wortmann Open.
Why it matters for Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios, playing doubles in Halle, responded to Zverev's win by highlighting how much he's respected by other players on tour.
He has made no secret of his respect for Zverev's abilities, having come through alongside him.
What comes next for Zverev and Kyrgios?
Zverev will play Roman Safiullin next at Halle Open on Thursday, while Kyrgios has opted not to play at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1st in London.
Kyrgios is now in the later stages of his career, one that's been often interrupted by injuries, but he's back on the ATP Tour.
He's looking to add to his seven career titles, despite the ups and downs he's faced along the way.
One of his biggest moments came on grass back in 2022 when he reached the Wimbledon final before losing to Novak Djokovic.
That remains his closest run to a Grand Slam singles title, though he did manage to win the 2022 Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios has been given a wildcard for Halle this week, but faces a tough opening match against third seed Ben Shelton, fresh off a win in Stuttgart.
He could be using this ATP 500 event as preparation for future tournaments, though as world number 899, he'd need another wildcard just to enter the main draw at SW19.
Whether or not he deserves one is debatable, but there's no question about his talent on grass or his ability to draw big crowds wherever he plays.
Speaking to Tennis TV, Kyrgios said: “Yeah look, I’m the least jealous person ever, so when I see any of my peers winning… everyone can eat, there’s plenty of room for everyone to have success in this world.”
He also praised Zverev's consistency and diligence, saying it's "quite scary" to see him overcome a "disgusting injury" and come back as a better player.
Kyrgios is confident in his own abilities, having had more success than most athletes in any sport, and is humble enough to realize when it's someone else's time to shine.
And to see Zverev finally get over that hump, after being one of the most consistent players on tour for the last 10 years, is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
But Kyrgios is focused on his own game, looking to make the most of his time on the ATP Tour and add to his titles.
He's a talented player with a lot to offer, and his fans will be eager to see how he performs in the coming weeks.