Nick Kyrgios on hotel quarantine, Chiara Passari row, retirement and Novak Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on life, home, the toxicity of fame, his quarantine bust-up – and what the Australia star is really sick of about tennis.

Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios has opened up on his highly publicised hotel quarantine row with girlfriend Chiara Passari, describing the two-week ordeal as “the most inhumane thing I’ve ever done”.

The 26-year-old made headlines when an argument with Passari resulted in the two being separated for the remainder of their 14-day hotel quarantine last month, following some police intervention.

Nick Kyrgios and Chiara Passari chill out at Wimbledon. Picture: Instagram

Kyrgios, who also singled out travel as the one thing that was likely to force him out of professional tennis in a wide-ranging interview with CODE Sports, said the quarantine experience brought out “some serious demons” – but suggested it was perhaps overplayed at the time.

“That quarantine is the most inhumane thing I’ve ever done,” Kyrgios told CODE.

“I cannot believe the Australian government made us do that. Some serious demons in there.”

Of the confrontation with Passari, Kyrgios said “it was an argument that obviously got more attention than a normal argument”.

“People react different ... it is what it is, I can’t control what others do,” he added.

Kyrgios had a hard time in quarantine after returning to Australia. Picture: AFP

Kyrgios also addresses his love for tennis – and how long he plans to commit to playing at the highest level, topics which have long been a source of speculation within the sport.

But ahead of a ninth Australian Open campaign, Kyrgios says he’s in some of the best shape of his career.

And seemingly there’s only one part of tennis that he seems to hate: the travel.

“I don’t like travelling, and that’s why, I don’t say my career is nearing the end, but I’m just sick of travel, honestly,” he said.

Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic (R) have traded barbs in recent times. Picture: Getty

Novak Djokovic’s attitude towards the Covid-19 pandemic, and Kyrgios’ so-called feud with the world No.1, is also on the agenda. But he says the one-time friends aren’t enemies just yet, despite whatever barbs have been traded over social media and in the press the past few years.

“Honestly, I don’t have anything against the guy, he’s a great player,” Kyrgios says of Djokovic.

“Would I get a beer with him? Probably not. Doesn’t mean I don’t like the guy.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CODE SPORTS

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios on hotel quarantine, Chiara Passari row, retirement and Novak Djokovic