Nick Kyrgios gets his Grand Slam crystal ball out as he admits Novak Djokovic will be tough to beat
Nick Kyrgios believes the Big Two of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will in all likelihood clean up at the Grand Slams next year, adding he “can’t see Djokovic losing” at the Wimbledon and the hard-court majors.
With Djokovic missing this year’s Australian Open, Nadal went on to win the season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park as he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final. The Spaniard then won a 14th title at Roland Garros to move to a record 22 majors.
However, Djokovic moved to within one Slam of Nadal’s tally as he successfully defended his Wimbledon title.
The Serbian, though, also missed the US Open due to his unvaccinated status and with Nadal losing in the fourth round to Frances Tiafoe, young gun Carlos Alcaraz claimed his maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic, though, is expected to compete in all four majors next year and Kyrgios feels he is the clear favourite at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open while Nadal is odds-on favourite to win at Roland Garros.
When asked if Djokovic and Nadal can be challenged in 2023, he replied: “I’m gonna say ‘no’.
“Well, Rafa will win the French Open, Djokovic will probably win Wimbledon – unless I stop him – so I don’t know … Djokovic is so dominant that unless someone really elevates their level at the Australian Open or US Open, I can’t see him losing.
“[Daniil] Medvedev could maybe beat him. Look I’d love to win one – but, realistically, he’s so dominant.”
The US Open represent the best chance for a the challengers
Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer have ruled the roost at Grand Slams for more than two decades as they have won 63 majors between them while Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka won three each.
However, the last three years have seen three first-time major winners – all coming at the US Open at Flushing Meadows as Dominic Thiem won the 2020 title, Medvedev lifted the trophy in 2021 and Alcaraz was the last man standing this year.
As for the Australian Open, Wawrinka (2014) is the only player other than Djokovic, Federer and Nadal to win at Melbourne Park in recent years and you have to go back to 2005 for the last time someone else got a sniff as Marat Safin won that edition.
It is even bleaker for the challengers at Roland Garros with Nadal gunning for title No 15 next year. Djokovic (2016, 2021), Wawrinka (2015) and Federer (2009) are the only players to have won there since Nadal lifted the trophy for the first time in 2005.
Djokovic has been the man to beat at Wimbledon in recent years as he has won the last four tournaments and seven in total. Federer, of course, has won the title eight times, Murray twice and Nadal twice. Lleyton Hewitt was the last player outside of the Big Four to win at SW19 and that was back in 2002.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios on Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open return: ‘We’re very lucky to have him’
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