'Closely guarded secret': Nick Kyrgios in surprise career change

Nick Kyrgios could be pivoting away from tennis and onto TV screens if rumours about his career change turn out to be true.

The firebrand Australian tennis star has reportedly made the move into reality TV, having made a smattering of appearances as a guest commentator for the tennis, as well as his frequent live streams on Twitch.

'MISS YOU': Boyfriend's touching tribute amid Ash Barty title triumph

'WE KNEW': Quirky truth about Roger and Mirka Federer meeting

According to the Herald Sun's Fiona Byrne, Kyrgios recently spent several weeks filming of the new series of Australian Ninja Warrior in Sydney - which, until now, was a 'closely guarded secret'.

Kyrgios wasn't taking part as a contestant, rather providing commentary from the sidelines alongside former AFL champion Shane Crawford.

The 26-year-old hasn't played since the Australian Open earlier this year, where he progressed to the third round before being knocked out by Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller.

Often outspoken about the major issues in tennis, Kyrgios was one of the more prominent players urging fellow ATP and WTA stars to think carefully about their decisions since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic.

He was a fierce critic of Novak Djokovic, after the world No.1's ill-fated Adria Tour held in June 2020 result in him and several other players contracting the virus.

Kyrgios has remained in Australia since the home grand slam, preferring to concentrate on his life off the court.

Nick Kyrgios rages over Bernard Tomic comparison

On Wednesday, a clearly irritated Kyrgios took to Instagram to denounce a comparison between him and fellow Australian tennis bad boy Bernard Tomic.

While Kyrgios and Tomic have both attracted negative headlines at various stages of their careers, the Canberra-born Kyrgios was annoyed by the comparison.

Citing his substantially stronger track record against the tennis elite, as well as his philanthropic efforts following the devastating bushfires over the summer of 2019/2020, Kyrgios lashed the comparison.

“I got compared with Bernard Tomic today and I’ve never felt more insulted," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.

“Does he have a foundation? Does he have the accomplishments?

“Did he raise money for the bushfires? It’s disgusting man.

“Do your research, also I ain’t f***ing with anyone who does OnlyFans.

“Oh and by accomplishments (I beat the big 4).”

Kyrgios has multiple victories over Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, as well as wins over Roger Federer and Andy Murray to his name.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Kyrgios will play the grass-court season commencing in June, most likely returning at the Stuttgart Open.

Kyrgios admitted after his Australian Open exit that he wasn't interested in playing at events where fans aren't allowed.

"I don't know how I'll [play if I] have to quarantine overseas in tournaments," he said.

"For me personally, I'm used to playing in front of packed stadiums.

"I'm not gonna force myself around the world when the time is not right where I have to quarantine for a week and then play.

"I don't know. I'm not too sure what lies head. That's just not me. I just don't think it's right. I'm not gonna force myself to play."

Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.