Showman or no show? Either way, Nick Kyrgios is the most compelling man in tennis

Scenario: it’s 6-5 in the final set. To stay in the match, you must break serve. A routine rally unfolds at 0-0 and the ball bounces up enticingly…

Do you: a) fire an aggressive shot down the line, b) enter defensive mode and pray for a mistake, or c) play an unnecessary tweener?

Only one player on the Tour would dare attempt option ‘c’ – and he needs no introduction.

Every soul crammed into the Hisense Arena on Wednesday evening silently screamed ‘moron’ as Nick Kyrgios stuttered, eased open his legs and nonchalantly flicked his racquet through the gap; the same souls gawped when it helped construct a tremendous point, before seeing their man break back to level the contest. Sure, it was a terrible shot planted straight into the mid-court, but it pressed Kyrgios’ internal switch – Mr No Show was Mr Showman once more.

Sadly, after the clamour had subsided and normal service resumed, the erratic 21-year-old was trudging out of the Australian Open after a five-set thriller with Andreas Seppi.

When we glance back on the opening week in Melbourne, Kyrgios’ futile antics will undoubtedly stand out. As the crowd willed their energy into his gangly frame, the second round match reaching a fervent conclusion, the camera panned to a bunch of raucous kids swept up in the occasion. Like it or not, Kyrgios is a huge draw – perhaps the biggest – for the young generation. And it’s precisely because of his volatility.

Tennis’ ultimate enigma is entrancing and irritating, not always in equal measure. For the opening two sets, it was the former as he dazzled towards a comprehensive win. But the lasting taste is of the latter after his near-ubiquitous demons reappeared. Outbursts. Apathy. Racket violations.

That is his USP. Amid the predictability of the men’s tour – the same players creating a spectacle we’ve seen countless times, just in different locations – Kyrgios provides something completely different. Encouraging him to ditch the theatrics and petulance is to take away from what makes him so watchable. It may stop him from establishing himself as a true great. It may also leave fans feeling cheated. But he will never thrive unless he’s allowed to embrace who he is – even if that character is often infuriating.

Having said that, a coach would help inject some inner resolve. Someone with a similarly turbulent on-court relationship. John McEnroe, perhaps…

"No," McEnroe hit back when quizzed about it in the Eurosport commentary box. "I don't think he would listen."

"I would call it overall a damn shame, because I think he's the most talented guy in the world, maybe aged 29 or under. He could be the best player in the world, but mentally he's about 200 in the world, and I think at the critical moments it showed.

"I don't mind, obviously if you know my history or career at all, someone who's emotional and goes too far at times and say the wrong things. I don't condone it but I certainly understand it better than almost anyone who can talk about tennis.

"What I don't understand and don't accept and can't accept, is when he starts going into the tank and he stops trying and giving 100 percent.

"It's okay to show your emotions and I'd like to see that in a one-on-one game when you're out there by yourself, but when he goes through those periods when he's not competing that's just a black eye for the sport. And it's a black eye for him."

It’s very easy to judge Kyrgios from afar. Why does his interest fluctuate so wildly? Why does he ooze doubt when his fans are creating a cauldron of belief? Why does he wallow along the baseline, shaking his head, and offering half-hearted attempts to reach the ball?

"I deserve it. I'm a bad guy," he joked in his press conference after being asked whether he’s being treated too harshly, revealing some intense basketball sessions may be behind his defeat.

Stupid remarks, but uttered in the heat of the moment. A man blessed with boundless ability appears content to let his career unravel – unless he finds someone who can add some inner steel to his flair. But if he’s constantly forced to justify his thorny personality and isn’t accepted for being an unpredictable maverick, then the circus will continue.

Regardless of what happens, it’ll be entertaining. But it has the potential to be so much more.