Nick Kyrgios, an Australian tennis star, has recently inked a deal to partner with the video subscription company OnlyFans. The 28-year-old athlete considers this decision a "no brainer."
Known for his entertaining playing style, Kyrgios has also been a controversial figure due to his behavior on the court.
Last year, he made it to his first Wimbledon grand slam singles final, where he was defeated in four sets by Novak Djokovic. Additionally, he clinched his inaugural grand slam doubles title at the Australian Open, playing alongside his compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia addresses the media during a practice session preceding the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia.
Nick Kyrgios has decided to opt out of the US Open, marking his fourth consecutive grand slam absence. In a statement released on Thursday, he expressed his decision to join OnlyFans, stating that it was an obvious choice for him. He emphasized the platform's influence on social media and stressed the importance for athletes to have a strong online presence in addition to their performances on the court or field.
"I aim to create, produce, direct, and own content because I believe it's the future. I have been communicating with my fans directly for years and I understand what they want to see.
"Expect to see tennis balls, tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes content, but also a range of different aspects of my life. From gaming and tattoos to my more personal side - everything will be on the table and I'm excited to bring fans along for the journey!"
OnlyFans initially started as a platform for users to share videos and photos with their fans, but it gained a reputation for adult and sexually explicit content. However, in August 2021, the UK-based company made a decision to ban sexually explicit content due to pressure from banking partners. This decision was eventually overturned after facing backlash from content creators.
Sex workers claim they played a crucial role in the company's rise to success and widespread popularity, only to be overlooked and disregarded. OnlyFans stated that it has successfully secured funding to maintain its support for a wide range of content on its platform. According to OnlyFans, it has distributed over $10 billion to content creators since its establishment in 2016.
Nick Kyrgios won his first grand slam title in 2022, claiming the Australian Open doubles crown with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The latest earnings statement from OnlyFans reveals that the platform's 239 million users collectively spent over $5.5 billion in 2022, showing an increase from $4.8 billion in 2021.
OnlyFans receives a 20% share of user payments, while content creators receive the remaining 80%, as stated by the company. With ongoing injuries, Kyrgios will probably have ample time to maintain his OnlyFans account.
Kyrgios is expected to miss the Australian Open in January after being absent from all four grand slams in 2023 due to wrist, knee, and foot injuries. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, will be making an appearance on the entry list for the tournament despite missing most of 2022 because of an injury suffered at the Australian Open.
Nadal will make his long-awaited return to tennis at the Brisbane International in January.
CNNs Walé Azeez contributed to this report.