A fired-up Nick Kyrgios will be given the freedom to let his emotions fly at the Australian Open, with coach Todd Larkham declaring "we don't want him to become a robot" on the court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Larkham admits the Canberra teen is still trying to find a "happy medium" between passion and a measured approach, as he battles a nagging back injury and the expectation of a nation.
Kyrgios will play big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the second round on Wednesday after a brave five-set win against Federico Delbonis to start his Open campaign.
The frustration of injury and lack of match practice got to Kyrgios in the second set, smashing his racquet into the ground at the change of ends and being penalised a point by the match umpire.
But far from being concerned, Larkham hailed Kyrgios' effort as courageous and said it would be wrong to try to curb his on-court persona.
"He does play with a lot of passion. He wears his heart on his sleeve and fights to the death," Larkham said.
"I'm not that worried. It would be better if he didn't get warnings. It's just about trying to find that zone where he's pumped and plays with emotion but doesn't go over the top.
"Hopefully as he gets more experienced he'll learn how to manage that. You've got to find a happy medium. We certainly don't want him to be a robot. That's not him."
Commentator Jim Courier believes Kyrgios is similar to a young version of legend Andre Agassi.
Kyrgios oozes passion when he steps on to the court and Australians fell in love with him at the Open last year.
But sometimes it boils over, and he was one code violation shy of being disqualified from the US Open in August.
Kyrgios needed treatment on his back throughout the match but still managed to topple Delbonis 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 in a three-hour marathon.
It was the world No.53's first win of the year and just his second match in four months.
But he blew out the cobwebs in impressive fashion, despite some lapses in concentration, and is now on a path to meet childhood idol Roger Federer in the fourth round.
"Just losing the second set, I don't really like losing, so I guess that's why I did it," Kyrgios said when asked about breaking his racquet.
"I didn't feel rusty ... maybe felt pretty nervous out there, a lot of expectation. I didn't really have much confidence, I haven't played a lot of matches.
"I had belief in myself how things were going to swing."
Kyrgios did not get to sleep until 3.30am on Tuesday after beating Delbonis, and spent most of his time recovering and getting treatment on his back to get him ready to take on Karlovic.
Larkham hosed down concerns over Kyrgios' fitness and was adamant he would bounce on to the court for the second round.
The draw has opened up for Kyrgios after world No.17 Tommy Robredo's campaign was cut short by injury.
If Kyrgios can win the next two matches, he will take on former No.1 Federer in one of the biggest matches of his career.
"I thought it was a courageous and gutsy effort from Nick. He found a way to win," Larkham said. "Nick's going to have to take his chances against Karlovic's serve. There won't be many.
"He didn't play his best tennis in round one and he is a bit rusty, lacking a bit of match toughness. But like he often does, he found a way to win.
"Mentally he'll get stronger with more of these situations. He's playing in pain and he lifted to a fantastic level."
