‘Bromance’: Nick Kyrgios explains his support of Novak Djokovic

Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios says he is going to ask Novak Djokovic to play doubles now that they have a “bromance” following the visa saga.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has labelled his relationship with Novak Djokovic a “bromance”, after he supported the world number one’s fight to play unvaccinated in the Australian Open.

Kyrgios, who has at times in the past been critical of the World No. 1, has proved to be one of the Serbian star’s most vocal supporters on the tour throughout his visa drama in Australia.

Djokovic was deported from Australia on Sunday night after an 11-day ordeal which saw a two legal battles as his visa was cancelled twice.

But speaking after his 6-4 6-4 6-3 win over World No. 128 Liam Broady in the first round of the Australian Open, Kyrgios opened up about his relationship with the 20-time grand slam champion.

“We’ve got a bit of a bromance going on now. I think I’m going to ask him to play doubles somewhere,” Kyrgios said in his press conference.

However, Kyrgios says he would have supported anyone in the same situation.

“Me and Novak have had some differences in the past but I mean whether it was Novak or someone else I would have done the same thing,” he explained.

“If it was another player in that scenario I would have stood up for what I think was right. It was just coincidentally it was Novak and you know, it was quite a story.”

Nick Kyrgios pulled out all his hilarious tricks against Britain's Liam Broady. Picture: William West / AFP

Last week, Kyrgios said the Djokovic visa saga was an “absolute s***show” while speaking on his No Boundaries podcast.

He said he felt sorry for Djokovic and Australia’s handling of the situation was embarrassing.

“We’re treating him like he’s a weapon of mass destruction at the moment,” he said. “Literally he is here to play tennis.”

Kyrgios also revealed that Djokovic had reached out to him over Instagram to thank him for his earlier stance when he called for him to be treated like a human.

After a long-running saga, Djokovic’s second appeal to reinstate his visa was rejected and he was deported from Australia on Sunday.

Tennis Australia only broke its silence on the decision on Tuesday night, saying it respected the finding of the Federal Court of Australia.

Some other players have shown their outright support for Djokovic, but many have refused to comment on the situation.

In the past, Kyrgios spoke out about Djokovic, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kyrgios previously slammed Djokovic for his ill-fated Adria Tour in 2020 when players including the Serb and his family, tested positive for Covid after the players were seen partying, not social distancing or showing any regard for medical advice.

The World No. 1 initially expressed his regret but was widely slammed.

Kyrgios was one of the biggest names to blast the players for staging the tournament.

Then after tennis stars, including Djokovic complained about quarantining for the 2021 Australian Open, Kyrgios called the Serbian a “tool”.

But the tide has changed and last week Kyrgios revealed Djokovic had reached out via Instagram DM to thank him for his support.

Serbia's Novak Djokovicwas deported from Australia on Sunday. Picture: AFPTV / AFP

After his win on Tuesday night, Kyrgios also revealed that Covid hit him “hard” last week.

A week before the Australian Open he revealed he had tested positive and at the time said he had no symptoms. However, looking back on his recovery, he had a different message for fans.

“I was training five hours a day feeling extraordinary and then it hit me and I was bedridden,” Kyrgios said.

“Couldn’t really breathe well, coughing. You know, I was pretty bad, like for someone that you assume is in the peak of his physicality. I got hit pretty bad.

“Anyone that’s been through it, I hope honestly for the best.

“Obviously physically I don’t feel 100 per cent but I’m not going to use that as an excuse. Like everyone is dealing with that at the moment. The whole world is dealing with it.”