Nick Kyrgios was so confident of beating Alex de Minaur the first time they played, he brought a beer on to the court. Then this happened…

Australian tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has declared that Alex de Minaur is more than capable of winning a grand slam over the course of his career.

It comes as 29-year-old Kyrgios recalled the moment he knew the current world number eight had a chance to succeed on the unforgiving ATP circuit.

“I remember he was our orange boy at the Davis Cup, we had won the match and he had to do some extra practice, so I thought… I’ll go out and teach this little boy a lesson,” Kyrgios told reporters after he had confirmed that his abdominal pain was only minor and that he would be able to play at this year’s Australian Open.

‘I brought a beer, I remember, and I thought: this man can’t be that good.’

‘But it was a very exciting set. I was in my prime and he was only 17 and I thought, ‘This guy is going to be really solid.’

The polarizing star added that he was impressed that De Minaur has worked tirelessly on his game over the years and that he is a ‘ridiculously good role model’.

It comes as Kyrgios, 29, recalled the moment he knew the current world number eight had the chance to succeed on the ATP circuit

Kyrgios is excited to see Alexei Popyrin (25) and Jordan Thompson (27) both at Melbourne Park as he predicted a golden era for Australian tennis (Kyrgios is pictured, with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi)

Kyrgios is impressed by Alex de Minaur’s maturity as Australia’s number one star (pictured, with girlfriend Katie Boulter)

Kyrgios – who plays British star Jacob Fearnley in the first round on Monday – wasn’t done dishing out praise.

He is excited to see Alexei Popyrin (25) and Jordan Thompson (27) both at Melbourne Park, while Kyrgios predicted a golden era for Australian tennis.

“I mean, men’s tennis in Australia is ridiculously strong at the moment. “We have a lot of players, it runs very deep,” he said.

“Obviously Pop (Popyrin) is dangerous if he feels good serving and winning the Masters event (Canadian Open).

“I’m super happy for these guys because they put in all the hard work.

I’ve known Thommo since he was in diapers. Just to see how well he transitions and finally found himself in that position at a grand slam where things can really open up for him… he’s more than capable of doing some damage as well.

“All these Aussie guys are really good. We’ve got a good crop of young guys too, so it’s a good time to be an Australian tennis fan.”

In terms of managing his own expectations, Kyrgios said that “it’s good to be back” as the “sport became a bit mundane in his eyes.”

Meanwhile, de Minaur will launch his Open campaign against the great Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

If he can get past Van de Zandschulp, the local hope will face a qualifier or Argentinian Federico Coria in the second round.

Popyrin has signed Frenchman Corentin Moutet and could meet compatriot Rinky Hijikata in the second round, while Thompson opens against a qualifier.

The Australian Open starts on January 12.