To continue to label the predictably unpredictable twenty-two-year-old Aussie NextGen is anachronistic for he has defeated three of the big four on big stages and Sunday competed against Grigor Dimitrov in his first Masters 1000 final at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the quarterfinals, he befuddled and dismantled the 2017 French Open champion and newly re-anointed world number one, Rafa Nadal. He utilized his potent and varied serve to consistently frustrate Nadal who failed to create any break point opportunities in the first set.

Kyrgios was similarly relentless from the baseline and systematically applied pressure to rob the Spaniard of time. Nadal was incapable of asserting his authority from the back court since he was incessantly rushed and out of position. As the unforced errors off both wings continued to mount, the Spaniard found himself down a set and two points from defeat at 3-5 in the second.

Ever the warrior, Nadal managed to hold and break Kyrgios for the first time in the tenth game as the Aussie double faulted twice including one on match point. Unable to consolidate the break, Kyrgios broke back at love and served for the match leading 6-5.

The match statistics, while illustrative, fail to convey the cerebral fortitude and agility required of Kyrgios to reset from a break down in the second and serve out the match. His perceived lack of mental and emotional clarity is well documented as are the fines and suspensions for on-court verbal and racquet abuse.

Just a few years after turning pro in 2013, the industry began to question his dedication to the sport and projected longevity. Many, including John McEnroe, were disgusted and outraged by his lack of commitment and suggested he should pack his racquets and retire.

The pundits were all too quick to proclaim him the heir to Roger Federer’s Wimbledon throne after his comprehensive defeat of Nadal in the fourth round in 2014 but began soon thereafter, to question his psychological stability. Even though I was wary of early burnout, I did not cash in my chips; some investments, while inherently risky, often provide the greatest long-term yield.

It seems safe to assume that Nick Kyrgios, unlike the preternaturally ageless Roger Federer, will not be competing on the ATP World Tour at the age of thirty-six. Like Federer, however, he is enormously gifted with a plethora of options at his disposal.

Since the start of the current season, he has defeated former world number one Novak Djokovic twice, Nadal once and pushed Federer to the brink in three tie-break sets in Miami.

Expectations were justifiably high for a strong clay and grass court season but early round losses to Nadal in Madrid and Kevin Anderson at Roland Garros foreshadowed withdrawals due to injuries from Queens Club, Wimbledon, and the Citi Open. There are those who contend that his laundry list of injuries and withdrawals are due to inadequate training and preparation.

Although Alexander Zverev, age twenty, won two Masters 1000 events on two surfaces this season (Rome, Montreal) and Dimitrov claimed his first at the Western & Southern Open (defeated Kyrgios 6-3,7-5), I remain infinitely curious about Nick Kyrgios.

Some stars burn bright and long, others intermittently twinkle, so for as long as he continues to shine and at times out shine the competition, let’s just sit back and enjoy the show.