Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been announced as the first client of Evolve sports agency. The new sports agency was co-founded by four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and her long-time agent Stuart Duguid after the Japanese star broke her ties with management agency IMG last month to launch her own sports agency.
Evolve describes itself as a multi-faceted agency focused on brand partnerships, investing, creating athlete-owned businesses and philanthropy.
Kyrgios, who is currently ranked 45th in the ATP singles’ standings, reached out to Osaka after the US Open when she opened up about her mental health struggles, and is now supporting the Japanese star by joining her sports agency.
Speaking on Kyrgios becoming the first athlete to join her agency, Naomi Osaka said:
“Kyrgios embodies the type of athlete we want to work with at Evolve. He’s got unmatched style, passion, and personality that is unlike any other in the sport. We have some big things in the pipeline for him that are very unique and pioneering.“
It was during the Tokyo Olympics when Naomi Osaka and her agent Suart Duguid came up with the idea of launching their own sports agency. It only took them a year to turn that idea into reality.
Speaking on association with Evolve, Nick Kyrgios said:
“When I learned that Stuart and Naomi were starting an agency focused on supporting athletes like me, it made complete sense to join. I have consistently tried to do things differently throughout my career and bring my entire personality to the game of tennis. I’m excited to work with Stuart and Naomi to continue building on what we’ve started and push the game of tennis forward.”
Furthermore, in a statement, Duguid spoke very highly of the Australian:
“Nick is the most talented and entertaining tennis player on the tour, bar none. His energy is infectious. And love or hate him, you definitely can’t keep your eyes off him. If you go to any junior tournament you will see Nick’s influence in a second. For Gen Z and younger, he is absolutely an icon.”
While the big-serving Australian and the current men’s World No. 45 will be taking part in the upcoming Wimbledon Championships, the former women’s World No. 1 Naomi Osaka has made it clear that she’ll miss this year’s Wimbledon due to an Achilles injury.
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