Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic blasts Nick Kyrgios on eve of first grand slam of year
After being on the receiving end of a Nick Kyrgios verbal serve (or three), Novak Djokovic has had enough - and hit the Aussie where it hurts.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The simmering tennis feud between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios has exploded at the Australian Open, with the world No. 1 declaring “I don’t have much respect” for the Aussie star.
Kyrgios has been vocal in his criticism of the 17-time grand slam champion, taking shots at Djokovic over everything from his on-court demeanour and desperation to be liked to his controversial attitude to the COVID-19 protocols.
Just last week Kyrgios declared Djokovic was “a tool” for writing to Australian Open organisers to ease quarantine restriction for players – who were stuck in a hard lockdown due to Australia’s strict COVID conditions.
LIVE: Follow all the action from Day One of the Aus Open here
And Djokovic has finally had enough.
The normally calm and calculated Djokovic took the opportunity in his pre-tournament press conference, as he seeks an astonishing ninth Australian Open, to address the elephant in the room.
“Off the court, I don’t have much respect for him, to be honest. That’s where I’ll close it,” Djokovic said.
“I really don’t have any further comments for him, his own comments for me or anything else he’s trying to do.”
Kyrgios also took potshots at Djokovic over last year’s doomed Adria Tour, held in the midst of the global pandemic, at which players – including Djokovic and Alexander Zverev – partied with locals before the charity event turned into a giant COVID mess, with players contracting the virus.
As far as Kyrgios’ on-the-court antics go, Djokovic is far more willing to lavish praise on the controversial 25-year-old star – who remains one of the biggest drawcards in Australian sport, despite just reaching the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park just once.
“I think he’s good for the sport. Obviously he’s someone that is different,” Djokovic said.
Watch over 40 live ATP Tour tournaments, 40 live WTA Tour tournaments, and every ATP + WTA Finals match live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“He goes about his tennis, he goes about his off court things in his own authentic way.
“I have respect for him. I have respect for everyone else really because everyone has a right and freedom to choose how they want to express themselves, what they want to do.”
The feud between the pair dates back to a 2019 podcast, where Kyrgios described Djokovic’s “sick obsession” with wanting to be liked.
“I just feel like he (Djokovic) has a sick obsession, wanting to be liked,” Kyrgios told the No Challenges Remaining podcast.
“He just wants to be like Roger (Federer). He just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him.”
Whether he will be liked like Federer is one thing, but Djokovic could well end up with more grand slam titles than the Swiss giant – and could pull within two should he claim a ninth Australian Open this fortnight.
Only Rafael Nadal’s dominance of Roland Garros can compare to Djokovic’s record in Melbourne, which he happily refers to as a love affair.
“It’s a love affair. Probably something similar maybe not like Rafa has with the French Open, but I’ve been feeling more comfortable on the court each year that I’ve been coming back,” Djokovic said.
“The more you win, obviously the more confidence you have and the more pleasant you feel on the court.
“It just feels right. If you’re in the right state of mind, regardless of the surface, you have a better chance to play at your best.
“When I stepped on the court this year for the first time in the practice session, I relived some of the memories from last year, also the other years that I won the tournament here.
“It just gives me great sensation, great feeling (and) confidence. It feels right.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic blasts Nick Kyrgios on eve of first grand slam of year
Tomic breaks record in 39-minute bloodbath
Forgotten Aussie tennis star Bernard Tomic has made history in disappointing fashion as he continues on the comeback trail.
Kyrgios: Why I’m now friends with Piers Morgan
From Twitter spats which led to Nick Kyrgios telling outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan to ‘eat a d**k’ to world sport’s most unlikely friendship. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Australia’s most divisive tennis star.