Novak Djokovic lifts lid on blossoming bromance with Nick Kyrgios and offers helping hand

The relationship of Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic was fractured, but not anymore. Djokovic reveals what changed — and he’s even offered to lend him a hand.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 21: Nick Kyrgios of Eagles reacts in their men's singles match against Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during day three of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena on December 21, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic has lifted the lid on his blossoming bromance with Nick Kyrgios, revealing the Aussie ace’s public support of the 21-time grand slam champion following his deportation from Australia last summer had mended the pair’s fractured relationship.

It was only two years ago that Kyrgios attacked Djokovic on Twitter, labelling the Serbian “a tool” following his request for Australian Open officials to ease quarantine restrictions on players ahead of the 2021 tournament.

Djokovic’s response to the comment was just as scathing: “Off the court, I don’t have much respect for him (Kyrgios)”.

The two remained at odds until, suddenly, they weren’t – and Djokovic on Thursday revealed how and why.

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios after the 2022 Wimbledon final. Picture: Getty Images

“I wasn’t his favourite guy, let’s take it that way – for many years,” he said with a smirk.

“But he was one of the very few that stood by me last year and I respect that and appreciate that, because in those moments you can actually see who truly supports you, who is by your side and who goes with, I guess, the flow of the society and the pressures the media puts on you.

“He was giving me undivided support in the moments when I was being challenged a lot and him, as an Australian, I respected that a lot. So since then our relationship has changed, for the better.”

So much so that Djokovic has come to his Aussie rival’s rescue ahead of the Australian Open.

On Wednesday it was revealed Kyrgios had pulled out of the Adelaide International 2 next week, citing the same ankle injury that the 27 year old claimed was the reason for his final-hour withdrawal from the United Cup.

Kyrgios’ most recent ATP singles match was in Tokyo last October and without the United Cup and Adelaide International under his belt, leaves him well-short of competitive minutes ahead of the Australian Open.

Enter Djokovic, who has offered to play a practice match with Kyrgios in lieu of the Aussie number one’s Adelaide International preparation.

Novak Djokovic has offered to lend Nick Kyrigos a helping hand. Picture: AFP

Following his hard-fought straight-sets victory over Frenchman Quentin Halys on Thursday, Djokovic revealed he had spoken to Kyrgios and the pair were likely to play a practice match in Melbourne next week as part of the Australian Open’s “perfect practice” offering for paying tennis fans.

“Well we were talking with the Australian Open about doing something in the week prior to the start of the tournament and yes, I chatted with Nick and I would like to play with him and he accepted – but he wants shorter sets, so let’s see if that works,” Djokovic said.

“I feel like most of us need matches and practice matches – as many as we can play prior to the Australian Open, so I’m happy if that will be organized.

“It most likely will happen with Nick and I’m looking forward to that.”

Djokovic’s practice match olive branch continues an unlikely bromance between the two high-profile tennis personalities.

The pair have even teased teaming up in the doubles at Indian Wells later this year – though that could be put on ice after the US Transportation Security Authority extended its ban on non-vaccinated international travelers entering the country until April 10.

Djokovic was unmoved when asked for his reaction to the news.

“I saw it but I don’t think it’s official yet, so when it’s official we can speak about it,” he said.

“Look, if it is official then it is – what can I do? Nothing. You know my position, so it is what it is.

“I’m hoping, but if I can’t go I can’t go, that’s it.”

There are five ATP events in the United States between now and April 10, including the popular Masters event at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

Kooyong or Djoker? What’s really going on at camp Kyrgios

— Lauren Wood

Nick Kyrgios has not ruled out a last-minute exhibition match at next week’s Kooyong Classic as he remains in Canberra ahead of the looming Australian Open.

The 27-year-old withdrew from the Adelaide International late on Wednesday, but his team remains adamant he is in no doubt for the Australian Open which begins at Melbourne Park on January 16.

Kyrgios returned to his home city of Canberra in a bid to continue his rehabilitation from the issue that reared its head in December, with the focus in coming days on ramping up his training load with the grand slam just 10 days away.

He has been training in the ACT with his team with current plans to remain there until next Thursday.

“It’s about getting Nick to be the healthiest he can be,” Kyrgios’ manager Daniel Horsfall told News Corp on Thursday.

“No one is ever going to be perfect, but it’s about getting him to the best state he can be in over the next 10 days.

A hit against Wimbledon final opponent Novak Djokovic has also been floated by team Kyrgios.

“It was about getting him back here to Canberra, getting him with his physio Will Maher … now it’s going to be about increasing his load and going from there.”

The plan is to travel to Melbourne next Thursday, where Horsfall said Kyrgios could yet feature at the Kooyong Classic which runs from Tuesday to Thursday.

Tournament organisers approached the local hope about playing at the lead-up event — which will also feature world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, three-time grand slam winner Andy Murray and Australian Alex de Minaur — which Horsfall said remained in contention as an option for some match play in preparation for the Australian Open.

A hit against Wimbledon final foe Novak Djokovic has also been floated.

Kyrgios, who is currently ranked 22 in the world, also withdrew from the United Cup last week.

“Obviously we’re really sorry to everyone that’s involved, but Nick is the priority and we have to put getting him right first,” Horsfall said.

Todd Woodbridge has identified how Nick Kyrgios’s preparation for the Australian Open is far removed from his Wimbledon build-up.

Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge noted the difference between this hampered preparation and that which led him to the final at Wimbledon last year, but said Kyrgios’ focus should be on bring primed both physically and mentally.

“I hope he is fresh and ready, because there’s going to be a lot of attention on him when he gets to Melbourne in just over a week’s time,” he said on The Today Show.

“This isn’t exactly what I think he would have been after (as a lead-in). When he got through to Wimbledon (final), he had a couple of semi-finals on the road to getting there … this is a different approach.

“But Nick does it differently, and I hope for the sake of him — who has a proper chance of going deep into the tournament — that the ankle’s good. More importantly, though, that the head is clear.

“Once that is in good order, that’s when he can play his best tennis. It’s not so much about the physical. It’s about the mental.”

Kyrgios’ Aus Open preparations take another hit

- Callum Dick

Nick Kyrgios will not contest the second week of the Adelaide International after tournament organisers confirmed the Aussie number one had pulled out of the event due to begin on January 10.

Kyrgios, 27, was a late withdrawal from Australia’s United Cup campaign last week citing an ankle injury.

The world No. 22 was due to play in the second week of the Adelaide International as his final preparation for the Australian Open, however will now head to Melbourne having not played a competitive singles match since the ATP event in Tokyo last October.

“The Adelaide International can confirm that Nick Kyrgios will not compete in Week 2 of the tournament,” a statement obtained by News Corp read.

“The event is clearly disappointed in this decision as would be the fans who support him, but injury happens and health is always the priority.

“The Adelaide International wishes Nick Kyrgios the best of luck and a quick recovery, understanding the importance of the Australian Open preparation. He is welcome back to the Adelaide International anytime.”

Kyrgios will have had no competitive preparation in the lead in to this year’s Australian Open. (Photo by AFP)

Tournament director Alistair MacDonald told News Corp last week he had not been in contact with Kyrgios’ team over his availability for the tournament.

On Wednesday, MacDonald confirmed Kyrgios had withdrawn from the Adelaide International 2.

“We know that the Adelaide International was a key lead-up event for Nick and I know he is disappointed to not be able to play in Adelaide this year. We wish him well for the Australian Open,” MacDonald said.

“The Adelaide International has become a key lead-in event to the Australian Open for many players. This is reflective of the field including 16 of the top 20 women next week. We wish him well with his preparation for the Australian Open and I hope he recovers in time.”

Kyrgios is now in a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.

He was knocked out in the second round of last year’s event by eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

Thanasi Kokkinakis this week confirmed he and Kyrgios would once again play doubles at this year’s Australian Open, defending their unlikely title from 2022.