Djokovic on Kyrgios – ‘He stood by me and I’m grateful for that’

Novak Djokovic comments on Nick Kyrgios’ wild match with Stefanos Tsitsipas and what it meant when the Aussie supported him during a difficult time this year in Australia.

Djokovic and Kyrgios, Indian Wells 2017 © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Sasa Ozmo

July 8, 2022

A few days ago at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic was asked to give his thoughts on the wild events that occurred during and after Nick Kyrgios’ third-round victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. He would not even know they would meet in the Wimbledon final, on Sunday.

The 20-time major champion has often been on the receiving end of criticism from Kyrgios, but he still took the high road when he described what he saw.

“You often see these type of situations on the court with Kyrgios,” he said. “It can be fun, but maybe not so much for his opponent. Whether people like him or not, it is a fact that he draws attention to tennis. I think it is good that he attracts a group of young people, who like him because of his playing style and because he is different – I do not think that it is bad for our sport.

“Maybe his comments on the court are sometimes debatable, but it is authentic Kyrgios and I respect that.”

Djokovic – “He stood by me”

Djokovic, who will face Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final if he can get past ninth-seeded Cameron Norrie in Friday’s semi-final, says he owes gratitude to Kyrgios due to the fact that the Aussie was one of the few players who took his side earlier this year in Australia, when the Serb was detained and eventually deported by the Australian government after being granted a special exemption from Tennis Australia and the State of Victoria.

“Although he has been saying bad stuff about me for years, he stood by me,” Djokovic said. “When I was going through the most difficult period, he was one of the rare few people who spoke on my behalf publicly. I am very grateful for that.”

Kyrgios: “I feel sorry for him”

Nick Kyrgios taking another shot at Novak Djokovic 👀 pic.twitter.com/OuhQpMOium
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 25, 2019

Many remember (as we see in the above tweet) that Kyrgios has taken pot shots at Djokovic in the media in the past, but when it came to a very serious issue at the Australian Open, Kyrgios was quick to speak out against the way the Australian government and the media were handling Djokovic’s case.

“I just think it’s crazy. I feel so sorry for him,” Kyrgios said at the time. “Preparing for an Australian Open or grand slam is enough for someone and the pressures that he has are so unique, he’s going for 21 slams, being Novak Djokovic preparing is already enough, and I feel with dealing with the media, already having a court case, winning that, and now being detained again from that, still trying to practice, still trying to prepare and now his visa’s cancelled.

“It’s an absolute s***show. How we deal with this stuff is just embarrassing.”