Nick Kyrgios has cited the example of Novak Djokovic to explain why previous tennis greats would find it difficult to compete in the modern game due to the notable advancements in serve speeds.
It’s hardly surprising that Kyrgios values this component of contemporary tennis so highly, given that his explosive serve is one of his most potent tools on the court. The Australian player stated in a recent interview that he thought the faster serving in today’s game would make it difficult for former greats like Boris Becker to compete.
Kyrgios said in a recent interview: “The game was so slow back then. I’ve watched Boris Becker and I’m not saying they weren’t good in their time, but to say that they would be just as good now is absurd. A big serve back then was like 197 to 200 km per hour—about 122mph. People like me, we serve 220 consistently to corners. It’s a whole different ball game.”
In support of his claim, the 28-year-old highlighted Lleyton Hewitt’s skill at returning slower serves, especially emphasizing his compatriot’s commanding straight-set victory over Pete Sampras in the 2001 US Open final.
Kyrgios said that Hewitt’s ability to neutralize Sampras’ serve implied that a player of Djokovic’s caliber would absolutely destroy the 14-time Grand Slam champion with his incredible return game.
Kyrgios added: “I’m not saying they wouldn’t have found their way. But serve and volley—to do it all the time now, you need to be serving 220—because if you serve anything less than 220, bro, Djokovic eats you alive. He eats you alive. Bro, Lleyton Hewitt destroyed Sampras one year at the U.S. Open. That was the first prototype of someone who could return service.”
Kyrgios expressed his feelings for Djokovic’s gameplay and said: “He made Sampras look like sh*t. And what would Djokovic do to someone like Sampras? It would be a clean-up. If Hewitt was doing it, Djokovic would destroy him. He would eat him alive.”
Novak Djokovic in 2023
Now ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 25th of November when he capitulated to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Until now, during this year the Serbian has an overall 56-7 match record. Novak clinched 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Serbian was the runner-up in Wimbledon.
Nick Kyrgios in 2023
Ranked no.470, Nick played his last match on the 13th of June when he surrendered to world no.121 Yibing Wu 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
This year Kyrgios owns a compiled 0-1 win-loss record.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios played each other 3 times. Their actual record is 2-1 for Kyrgios. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in London (Wimbledon) in July 2022.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.