In a discussion, Nick Kyrgios said that Novak Djokovic’s remarks during one of those Wimbledon training sessions are the primary reason he is preparing for a comeback. With great anticipation, the tennis community awaits Kyrgios’s lace-up and emotional comeback to the professional game.
For a player of his calibre, the Australian performer hasn’t been spotted swinging a racket competitively for two whole years, which is far too long. Despite taking the first set off Novak Djokovic, he was unable to defeat the Serbian, despite defying the odds to make it to the Wimbledon final that year.
Kyrgios is prepared to strap up, string up his rackets, and return to the court in time for the Australian Open after two tiring years. Since the 2022 Wimbledon final, Djokovic and Kyrgios have developed a true friendship and are now close friends off the court.
During his time in London, Kyrgios managed to go and hit some balls with the seven-time champion despite providing commentary at some of this year’s Grand Slam events.
He has stated on The AO Show that some remarks made by Djokovic during one of those Wimbledon training sessions are the main reason he is getting ready for a comeback.
Kyrgios talked about it and said: “I definitely went through a lot of dips and energy highs and lows throughout the past 18 months. There were times when I was super motivated, where I was like, I want to start the rehab and get going and be better. And there were times when I was like, I don’t want to play any more; this is too hard. I was having pain in my hand and wrist, and I was like this is not going to get better. I didn’t want to do the work required, and I guess I had a really good team around me. Then I went to Wimbledon and announced I would be hitting with some of the players there.”
He added: “Novak was there, and I hit with him for three days. That’s when I realised I was only starting to serve then, and he was like, It doesn’t look like you have had surgery; you are moving really well and playing really well. That’s when I looked at my team and was like, maybe we can return; we’re on the right track. That was probably the turning moment when Novak said that. I was like, Okay, we are doing something right here and gearing for a return.”
Nick Kyrgios in 2024
Currently the world no.470, Nick played his last match on the 13th of June 2023 when he was defeated by world no.404 Yibing Wu 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
During this season Nick has achieved a 0-1 record.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Currently ranked no.7, the Serbian played his last match on the 13th of October when he was defeated by world no.1 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 6-3 in the final in Shanghai (draw).
During this season Novak owns an overall 37-9 record. Djokovic has won 1 title in Paris. The Serbian was the finalist in Wimbledon and Shanghai.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic squared off 3 times. Their current head to head is 2-1 for Kyrgios. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in London (Wimbledon) in July 2022.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |