‘If it’s not me, no one’ – Nick Kyrgios on who can stop Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

Ewan West
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2022 Wimbledon final Novak Djokovic vs Nick Kyrgios
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has claimed he is the only player who has a chance of stopping Novak Djokovic from winning Wimbledon next month.

The Australian also discussed the Serb’s historic triumph at the French Open and revealed he hopes the world No 1 wins 30 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic won a men’s record 23rd major singles title at Roland Garros last week – defeating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final.

The 36-year-old has secured the first two legs of a potential Calendar Grand Slam, having claimed a 10th Australian Open crown in January.

Kyrgios returned to action following knee surgery to play his first match since October at the ATP 250 tournament in Stuttgart this week.

The 28-year-old was beaten 7-5, 6-3 by world No 64 Wu Yibing in the opening round of the grass court event.

Speaking to reporters in Stuttgart, Kyrgios lauded Djokovic’s accomplishment and backed him to add to his major tally.

“I hope he gets 30 [Grand Slam titles], it would make me look better because I lost to him at Wimbledon (smiling). But yeah, it’s an amazing achievement,” said the Australian.

“I know how hard he works, how much it means to him obviously. Obviously missing out on some Grand Slams as well, not being able to get in the country sometimes and obviously that time in Australia.

“I know that he’d probably be on like 25 or 26 [majors] at the moment [if he had not missed Grand Slams], so I know that he is hungry. People think he will slow down, I think it’ll only make him more motivated to get more. So I hope he gets to 28, 30.”

Djokovic missed the Australian Open and US Open last year due to COVID vaccine entry requirements in place in both countries at the time.

Kyrgios was then asked who can stop the 36-year-old at Wimbledon – where he has not lost a completed match since 2016.

“No one, no. If it’s not me, no one,” replied the world No 25.

Djokovic defeated Kyrgios in four sets in the 2022 Wimbledon final to win his seventh title at the All England Club.

The Serbian has lost just twice at Wimbledon since 2013 – to Sam Querrey in 2016 and Tomas Berdych in 2017 (where he retired in the second set due to injury).

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