Nick Kyrgios reveals his surprisingly close relationship with Novak Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic were once sworn enemies in tennis, but that relationship has thawed into a flourishing bromance in the last couple of years.
Kyrgios didn’t hold back in expressing his disdain towards Djokovic and appeared to get under the skin of the Serbian when they played on court.
Their relationship changed when Kyrgios offered strong support for Djokovic when he was initially allowed to enter Melbourne for the 2022 Australian Open, only to have his visa rejected as he was deported a few days later.
“You were one of the very few colleagues on the tour to use his platform, use his voice, to support me (during the deportation) and that is something I will never forget,” said Djokovic during a conversation with Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena last week.
Djokovic has previously spoken about the shift in the relationship with Kyrgios and revealed the duo now have a good friendship.
“I wasn’t his favourite guy – let’s take it that way – for many years,” he said.
“But he was one of the very few that stood by me last year, and I respect that and appreciate that.
“In those moments you can see who truly supports you and who is by your side and who goes with the flow of society and the pressures that media puts on you.
“He was giving undivided support in the moments where I was being challenged a lot, and him as an Australian, I respected that a lot.
“Since then, our relationship has changed for the better.”
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Now Kyrgios has suggested he is in daily contact with the world No 1, as they send each other messages that would have been unimaginable during the more hostile phase of their relationship.
Djokovic beat Kyrgios at the 2022 Wimbledon final and it seems their friendship has grown in the last couple of years.
“We had a rocky relationship at the start and there were a couple of things changed,” Kyrgios told Eurosport.
“Now we literally speak every day with him I’ve had some crazy messages.
“We send memes to each other. He hit an unbelievable volley the other day and I said to him where did you get these hands from? You didn’t have them against me at Wimbledon!
“Then he responded; oh I got them from you!”
Kyrgios also gave his verdict on the Australian Open men’s draw, as he suggested Djokovic may be impossible to beat in Melbourne.
“In best of three it is possible, in best of five it’s a whole different beast,” stated the Aussie.
“You saw the greats of (Roger) Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, even struggled against Novak on the biggest stages in the world.
“Do I believe there are players in the draw who can do it? Yes. Alcaraz, Sinner, (Daniil) Medvedev, (Alexander) Zverev, there are a bunch of players who can do it, but it is an incredibly tough task.
“We’ll see how his wrist is, that was a concern coming into the tournament, but I’m keen to see what the BOAT (Best Of All Time) has to offer, and if he finds his feet, he definitely is the favourite.
“I think he can be beaten but I’m going to have to see it.”
