“I can’t see him losing,” Nick Kyrgios calls Novak Djokovic the ‘Best’ player in the world and picks him as the favorite for the 2023 Australian Open
Follow Us
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios had a brilliant comeback in the 2022 season. Having fallen out of the Top 100, the Australian made a good recovery to end the season as the World No. 22. Kyrgios also ended his trophy drought by winning his first Tour title since 2019 at the 2022 Washington Open. Coincidentally, it was the last title he had won in 2019 as well.
Kyrgios also made his way to two Grand Slam finals. The Men’s Doubles finals at the 2022 Australian Open which he won alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis. In singles, he finished runner-up at the 2022 Wimbledon where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Kyrgios would have been bitter had he lost to Djokovic a couple of years ago, but with the two now in a ‘bromance’, Kyrgios showed sportsmanship eventually after the loss.
As Djokovic gets the clearance to play in the upcoming 2023 Australian Open, Kyrgios was recently asked about how he sees the Serb playing in Melbourne Park next year. Given that there exists no more animosity between the two, Kyrgios had words of praise for the 21-time Grand Slam champion.
“He’s healthy, ready to play and put on a show for our fans and for our country – we’re very lucky to have him. Look, he’s the best player in the world in my opinion, I’m glad we’re welcoming him back to come in and show what a great tennis player he is. I feel like no tournament is a full-strength tournament without Novak Djokovic in it.
“Novak, [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, they were always the three-headed monster everybody wanted to beat. It’s not really a new relationship – but the media tends to set the tone and they kinda created a narrative we didn’t really like each other. But Novak knows I was the only person to really stand up for him when a real-life issue occurred.
“I feel like the respect, that when someone does that for you, when they talk about you and stand up for you in front of a whole nation, that’s when respect’s gained, not on how you behave on a tennis court towards each other,” said Kyrgios as per TennisBuzz.
Nick Kyrgios sees only him as the biggest obstacle for Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Kyrgios was also asked who could be the Grand Slam champions in the next season. Kyrgios picked Djokovic for the titles in Australia and US Open (Djokovic is currently not allowed to enter the USA) while he chose Rafael Nadal for the French Open title. The Australian made a bold statement in picking himself for Wimbledon but added a condition to that.
“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,” added Kyrgios further.
Kyrgios is currently playing in the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia, an exhibition event as he looks to prepare for the upcoming home season. With good results in both singles and doubles this year, Kyrgios will have a lot of expectations riding on his shoulders next season, atleast in the home leg of the Tour.
Stay Updated!
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)