“Federer is a better role model,” Nick Kyrgios humorously responds to Karolina Muchova’s compliment

Nick Kyrgios responded to the praise from Karolina Muchova by stating that Roger Federer is a better role model than him.

“Federer is a better role model,” Nick Kyrgios humorously responds to Karolina Muchova’s compliment

Nick Kyrhios responds to Karolina Muchova's compliment (images via Getty, US Open and Brittanica)

Nick Kyrgios took to social media to respond to the praise he received from Karolina Muchova during a post-match interview at the 2024 US Open. Muchova beat Naomi Osaka in straight sets to reach the third round in New York. 

While interviewing her on the court after the match, Kyrgios complimented Muchova’s volleys and asked her if she took a few pages from her childhood idol Roger Federer‘s book. The Czech responded to it by saying she indeed drew inspiration from the Swiss Maestro but added that watching Kyrgios also helped her.

YouTube video
Yeah for sure. I watched him [Roger Federer]. I watched you [Nick Kyrgios]. All the guys doing these things and I really like it. So I try to put it in my game. I just enjoy playing like this. It’s fun and that’s why I play. I’m glad I could pull off some nice shots today.
Karolina Muchova said in her on-court interview

Later, Kyrgios responded to this comment by stating that Federer would be a better role model than him. 

FS Video
I think Federer is a better role model than me!! But thanks
Nick Kyrgios said on X

After the win against Osaka, Muchova will take on Anastasia Potapova, who downed 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez in the first round and then beat Varvara Lepchenko in straight sets in the second round. 

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Nick Kyrgios once named Roger Federer as the GOAT and called him the Michael Jordan of tennis

With the Olympic gold medal win, Novak Djokovic has cemented himself as the greatest player ever in the eyes of many fans and players, and Nick Kyrgios is one of them. Kyrgios and Djokovic’s friendship started after the former backed the Serb during his vaccination-related fiasco in 2020 and 2021.

Roger Federer
Roger Federer (Via Imago)

Since then, the two have only gotten closer and Djokovic has even been on Kyrgios’ show ‘Good Trouble’. In a recent video by GQ Sports, Kyrgios admitted that Djokovic is undisputedly the tennis goat.

However, Kyrgios was not always in Djokovic’s camp. In fact, the Australian had once credited Federer for having the biggest influence on the sport and compared him to Michael Jordan, whose career changed the way basketball was viewed.

For me, Federer is the Michael Jordan of tennis. What he accomplished for the sport, with the fans, with the kids. Of the three, I think it is Federer that the kids admire the most. Overall, he is the one who has changed the sport the most.
Nick Kyrgios said (via Metro)

Kyrgios did admit then that Djokovic would go ahead of Federer if he won any more Grand Slam titles.

The GOAT? Today I say Federer. The most influential player to ever play is Federer. If Novak wins another Grand Slam, he will go ahead.
Nick Kyrgios added

Since that interview, Djokovic has taken a substantial lead with 24 Grand Slam titles to his name. Rafael Nadal is behind him with 22 while Federer finds himself third on the list with 20.

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