In a surprising turn of events, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has revealed his true feelings towards Novak Djokovic during his live commentary at Wimbledon. Despite their recent bromance and friendly relationship, Kyrgios made it clear that he still harbors some resentment towards the Serbian superstar.
During his commentary on the match between Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper, Kyrgios took a cheeky shot at Djokovic, claiming that he let Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the 2023 Wimbledon final. Kyrgios jokingly stated, “I still don’t like you Novak if you’re listening. You gave Carlos one year but you didn’t give me one.”[1]
The pair’s relationship has been a rollercoaster ride, with a rocky start that eventually blossomed into a close friendship. Kyrgios even stuck up for Djokovic when he was kicked out of Australia in 2021. However, it seems that Kyrgios still holds a grudge against Djokovic for not giving him the same luck in their 2021 Wimbledon final matchup.
Earlier this year, Kyrgios revealed the extent of their newfound friendship, stating that they literally speak every day and even exchange memes with each other. Djokovic even joked with Kyrgios about his impressive volley in their Wimbledon match, saying, “oh I got them from you!”[1]
However, Kyrgios’ recent comments suggest that there may still be some underlying tension between the two players. The Australian’s connection with Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of men’s tennis, seems to be a point of contention for Kyrgios when it comes to Djokovic.
In 2023, Djokovic faltered in a 5-set match against Alcaraz, and Kyrgios believes that unlike 2022, Djokovic played ‘average’ against the young Spaniard[3]. This suggests that Kyrgios may feel that Djokovic was not giving his all against Alcaraz, which could be seen as a slight to the Australian’s own efforts against the Serb.
Despite their on-court rivalry, Kyrgios and Djokovic have both expressed their admiration for each other’s talents. Djokovic has even acknowledged the challenges of balancing his tennis career with his family life, revealing that his growing attachment to his family is making it increasingly difficult for him to focus on tennis[4].
In an interview with Nick Kyrgios on his podcast, Djokovic opened up about his inner conflict, stating that the ambitious, tennis-loving boy from his childhood still exists within him, but he also recognizes the importance of balancing his responsibilities as a father and a husband[4].
Djokovic’s recent performance at the Italian Open ended in a surprising loss to Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. The Serb will look to bounce back at the French Open, where he is the reigning champion[4].
As the tennis world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the Kyrgios-Djokovic rivalry, it remains to be seen whether the two players will be able to put aside their differences and focus on their shared love for the sport. One thing is certain: their on-court battles and off-court friendship will continue to captivate fans around the world.
In conclusion, Nick Kyrgios’ recent comments towards Novak Djokovic during his Wimbledon commentary have reignited the long-standing rivalry between the two players. Despite their newfound friendship and mutual respect, it seems that Kyrgios still harbors some resentment towards Djokovic, particularly when it comes to his matchups with Carlos Alcaraz. As the tennis season progresses, fans can expect to see more fireworks between these two larger-than-life personalities, both on and off the court.