LONDON: Nick Kyrgios, once considered a fierce critic of Novak Djokovic, emerged as an unlikely ally during the Serb’s chaotic deportation from Melbourne in early 2022 and their current ‘bromance’ feels ‘really odd’ for the Australian.
The 27-year-old described Djokovic’s ill-fated Adria Tour as “bony” amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and called him a “tool” last year when the tennis star wrote to organizers of the Australian Open demanding an easing of quarantine conditions asked .
But in January, Kyrgios said he was embarrassed by the treatment of Djokovic, who was arrested by local authorities, released and then arrested again before being deported ahead of the Australian Open.
“We’re definitely having some bromance now, which is weird,” Kyrgios said on Friday. “I think everyone knows that there wasn’t a love lost there for a while.
“I felt like I was almost the only kind of player and someone who stood up for him with all that kind of drama at the Australian Open.
“I have the feeling that you somehow deserve respect there. Not on the tennis court, but I have a feeling when a crisis happens in real life and someone stands up for you…
“We’re actually DMing each other now on Instagram and stuff like that. It’s really weird. In fact, earlier in the week he said, ‘I hope to see you on Sunday’.”
Kyrgios will play in his first Grand Slam singles final on Sunday on Wimbledon’s Center Court, where he will face either six-time champion and top seed Djokovic or Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
He will be the first Australian to contest a men’s singles final on the manicured pitches of the All England Club since Mark Philippoussis in 2003.
POLARIZED OPINION
Not since the days of John McEnroe’s tantrums has a player polarized opinion as much as Kyrgios and there is always a lot of buzz about the Australian, whether on the pitch or at his media conferences.
Australia’s Pat Cash, a former Wimbledon champion, told the BBC earlier this week that Kyrgio’s behavior had damaged the sport’s image after his victory over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in a toxic third-round clash.
When asked what it would mean to join a long line of Australian greats and win the Wimbledon title, the spirited 27-year-old vented his tide.
“I mean, look, the greats of Australian tennis haven’t always been the nicest to me personally. They didn’t always support me,” Kyrgios said.
“They have not supported me in these two weeks. So I have a hard time reading the things they say about me.
“It’s pretty sad because I don’t get support from … like the greats of the past. It’s weird that they just have a sick obsession with tearing me down for whatever reason.
“I just don’t know if they don’t like me or if they’re scared. I do not know what it is. But it sucks, because if the roles were reversed, if I saw (Alex) de Minaur in a finale, or if I saw Jordan Thompson or Thanasi (Kokkinakis), I’d be hooked. I would be delighted. I’d have a pint and freak out.”
However, Kyrgios singled out fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who won the 2002 Wimbledon title, for special praise and thanked him for his support over the years.
“He’s our Davis Cup captain and he kind of knows I’m kind of doing my own thing. I’m definitely the outcast of Australian players,” said Kyrgios.
“He knows he has to keep his distance and just let me do it. He just sends me a message here or there: ‘Go on’. That’s literally all. Just ‘Well done. Go on’.”