Cricket great Ian Healy blasts Nick Kyrgios over Novak Djokovic ‘rivalry’

Aussie cricket great Ian Healy has blasted Nick Kyrgios over his so-called rivalry with Novak Djokovic in a brutal assessment of his career.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has blasted tennis star Nick Kyrgios following his Australian Open exit.

On Friday evening, the 25-year-old lost his round three encounter against world No. 3 Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park.

Kyrgios has proven he can develop into a superstar of the sport, but has not managed to qualify for the quarter-final of a grand slam tournament since 2015.

Speaking on 1170 SEN Sydney, Healy lamented the Canberra athlete’s early exit from the Australian Open, accusing him of failing to live up to expectations.

“He should have flogged Thiem,” Healy said on Monday. “A little bit more application there, you win either the third or the fourth set, and you’ll then go deep in this tournament. He must be kicking himself Nick Kyrgios.

“It was some of the greatest tennis entertainment I’ve seen — it was so watchable on Friday night, it was an incredible match.

“He was in good shape to go further, much further, and Thiem just powered his way through him.

“He’s good enough to be a superstar, a really influential superstar, but can’t get past the third round when he’s two sets up.”

Healy also argued Kyrgios has not earned the right to be considered a rival of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

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Nick Kyrgios of Australia.

Kyrgios and Djokovic have regularly taken aim at each other since the Serbian’s controversial Adria Tour.

“They’re not fierce rivals,” Healy said. “They might be personal rivals, but if Kyrgios thinks he’s in a professional rivalry with Djokovic, he’s got another thing coming.

“Djokovic shouldn’t even know Kyrgios’ name at the moment … Kyrgios is having a crack without credibility.

“Stop having a go at Djokovic, a bloke who won this tournament eight times. Nick’s carrying on like a superstar, and he’s in the third round, and then loses it.”

Healy played 119 Test matches for Australia, scoring 4356 runs and claiming 395 dismissals.

"Having a crack without credibility."

Ian Healy isn't a fan of Nick Kyrgios mocking Novak Djokovic.#AusOpen

Via @PatandHealsSEN pic.twitter.com/Oc9Tm0lSWL

— 1170 SEN Sydney (@1170sen) February 15, 2021

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During Sunday afternoon’s doubles match against Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot on Margaret Court Arena, Kyrgios mimicked Djokovic’s trademark “heart-throwing” celebration.

The Australian gestured towards the imaginary crowd in Melbourne Park, a subtle dig at his Serbian rival.

“Just feeling the love. Just trying to spread the good word of the celebration. Everyone loves that celebration. It’s well liked,” Kyrgios said after the defeat.

“We just banter anyway. When we tweet or when we just do stuff, it’s for fun, you know, like you can’t take it all too seriously.

“We’re just having some fun. Novak, I’m sure, doesn’t like me and we both have respect for each other, but I don’t like him at all, so it’s fun.”