Novak Djokovic welcomes Nick Kyrgios’ return: ‘Great to see him back and playing well’
Novak Djokovic has stated that Nick Kyrgios’ comeback to the professional tour is ‘great to see’ and hopes to play doubles again with the Australian later in 2025.
On the eve of the Miami Open, Djokovic stated that he is glad to see Kyrgios back on the tour and playing solid tennis.
The Australian gained his first singles victory since October 2022 after defeating Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Miami Open.
“I saw him [Kyrgios] today in the locker room, in his sleeveless basketball jersey,” Djokovic stated.
“I don’t think he’s ever worn a tennis shirt, I’ve never seen him with a tennis gear on.
“I congratulated him, I was glad for him because he’s had injuries and he was absent from the Tour, we know all the struggles. I think it’s his first win in a couple of years, so it’s great to see him back and playing well.
“I don’t think that’s ever an issue, the quality of tennis he has it in his hands. It’s just a matter of him being healthy, staying healthy and injury-free.”
Kyrgios has struggled with serious knee and wrist issues since late 2022, which was the Australian’s best-ever season – reaching the Wimbledon final, losing in four sets to Djokovic.
He returned to the tour at the 2025 edition of the ATP 250 event in Brisbane, playing doubles with the Serb.
“I tried, when we played doubles in Brisbane earlier this year, to kind of draw him into some of my warm-up, cool-down routines,” Djokovic commented.
“Every time he would see me before the match, before we would actually go to warm up on court for the match, I’d spend like an hour in the gym, do my own thing and warm up every muscle in my body.
“I would just try to chase him down and bring him over. He would be running away from me, commenting you know, that’s not for him. That’s maybe part of the reason why he’s been injured so much. I really do wish that he stays injury-free.”
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion has hinted at another doubles appearance with his Wimbledon 2022 final opponent: “I do really wish that we play another time [in] doubles.”
“Later on this year we have a tournament in Belgrade, I’m planning to play it. I don’t know if he’s planning to come, so maybe, yeah, maybe we should slam it there.”
The former world No 1 also commented on his recent form, having lost three consecutive matches for the first time since 2018.
“I’m in pursuit to find the desired level of tennis. I haven’t played my best or even close in Indian Wells and Doha,” Djokovic admitted.
“I haven’t been able to find that quality of tennis that I’ve been looking for. I’m working hard giving it my all on the practice courts and eventually it’s going to come. I know that, hopefully here.
“I played great in Australia. I thought I had a pretty good shot at the title in Melbourne. Unfortunately, it ended for me the way it ended, but nevertheless, it’s still encouraging for me to see that I was able to play the way I was playing Australia.
“I’m still able to win against the likes of Alcaraz. That’s probably the biggest reason why I still keep pushing myself, motivating myself because I know I still have it in my legs, in my hands, in my arms.”
Djokovic is scheduled to play Rinky Hijikata in the second round of the Miami Open
