“He was giving me undivided support,” Novak Djokovic talks of his relationship with Nick Kyrgios since his deportation
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Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic‘s banishment from Australia last year was in every way controversial. While the player remained firm on his stance to not get vaccinated, the Scott Morrison-led government stood by its policy. Djokovic’s medical clearance did not suffice to keep him in the country as inaccuracies were found in his visa form.
The topic was debated not only in the tennis community but also globally. As the ‘House’ always wins in a casino, it was the same in Melbourne. The nine-time Australian Open champion was asked to leave the country on the eve of his first-round match. It was probably the lowest point of Djokovic’s career as the three-time defending champion lost his crown without a defense.
Amidst all of this in a surprising turn of events, Nick Kyrgios showed his support to then the World No. 1. Kyrgios and Djokovic did not share a good rapport but the Australian did not bother about it last year. He rather criticized the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal for not showing support to Djokovic who had been detained in a federal quarantine center.
“I wasn’t his favorite guy – let’s take it that way – for many years. But he was one of the very few that stood by me last year. He was giving me undivided support in the moments where I was being challenged a lot, and him as an Australian, I respected that a lot.
“Since then, our relationship has changed for better. I would like to play a practice match with him before the Australian Open” said Djokovic during his press conference in Adelaide following his second-round win.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios likely to team up in Doubles
Seeing Nick Kyrgios show support for Novak Djokovic, the Djokovic family thanked the Australian as many others kept mum. The former World No. 1’s brother Djordje Djokovic, tournament director of the Serbia Open, even invited Kyrgios to the tournament. The Australian however declined the invite as he had no plans for the claycourt season.
Djokovic and Kyrgios then eventually met in the UK at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. The two ended up playing the finals where the Serb clinched the title winning his fourth consecutive title at the All-England Club. Kyrgios has however been teasing fans with doubles pairing between him and Djokovic but nothing’s materialized so far.
Djokovic‘s desire to play Kyrgios in a practice match might not be fulfilled, however. With Kyrgios withdrawing from both the United Cup and the Adelaide International 2, his fitness has become a big concern. Nevertheless, you can’t be sure of the Mercurial Aussie who holds the potential to surprise everyone on any given day.
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Sarthak Shitole
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