Nick Kyrgios said the Australian Open’s fury over Novak Djokovic’s vaccination status led to his recent “bromance” as the controversial Australian paid tribute to Lleyton Hewitt’s unwavering support as he pointed out with his finger the others for his “sickly obsession with overthrowing me.”
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Speaking before the most important match of his career in the Wimbledon final against Djokovic on Sunday night (AEST), Kyrgios, who has a 2-0 record over the great Serb, spoke of the “disappointment” he felt when he first heard Rafael Nadal. they had retired from their semifinals, having managed to sleep just an hour the night before.
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However, his relationship with Djokovic and the lack of support from some former Australian players took center stage, and Kyrgios admitted that his kinship with Serbian No. 1 seed gave a positive twist after his acrimony. eviction from Australia for the vaccination saga.
Great danger for Kyrgios in the first Slam final
Djokovic defeated Britain’s No. 9 seed Cam Norrie 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals to bring his All England Club winning streak to 27 matches while pursuing a fourth consecutive championship. .
Under normal circumstances, the final would be the grudge match to end all grudge matches, given the story between the two players.
Kyrgios’ contempt for the Serbian star was palpable, he once said he would imitate Djokovic’s celebration if he won it for the third time, while criticizing the Serbian star for having an “obsession with wanting to please”.
He also described Djokovic’s decision to run his pandemic exhibition tournament as “skinny” and even called it a “tool” for the 2021 Australian Open because Djokovic called on the organizers to alleviate quarantine restrictions for players.
Interestingly, Kyrgios enters his first Grand Slam final against “The Djoker” without animosity.
And it all came about during a time of crisis for the world’s No. 3.
Kyrgios christened Djokovic as he faced deportation ahead of this year’s Australian Open, calling the whole situation a “shit show” and criticizing then-immigration minister Alex Hawke for their handling of the situation.
Masur impressed by the composure of Kyrgios
This provoked mutual respect between the two, said Kyrgios, who described their current relationship as “strange.”
“We definitely have a bit of bromance now, which is weird,” said Kyrgios, who added that Djokovic sends her direct messages on Instagram. “I think everyone knows there was no lost love for a while there. I think it was healthy for the sport. I think every time we played, there was hype around. It was interesting for the media, the people who watched it all.
“I felt like he was almost the only type of player and someone who defended him with all this kind of drama at the Australian Open. I think that’s where he earns respect, not on the tennis court, but I feel like when a real life crisis happens and someone defends you. “
After his victory in the semifinals, Djokovic praised Kyrgios for reaching the final, saying “this is where he should be and deserves to be.”
Kyrgios had an emotional moment after moving on to the final. (Getty)
While there is more love between the two men today, Kyrgios couldn’t say the same for a handful of former Australian players, who have been critical of his Wimbledon career this year.
The world number 40 has been embroiled in several controversial moments on and off the court during the tournament, from being fined for spitting and swearing. This led former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash to say the 27-year-old had “gone too far” with his crossings. In addition, he was also summoned to court to face a common assault charge next month.
However, the support of Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, the last Australian to win Wimbledon in 2002 who hit Kyrgios during the tournament, was praised by the finalist as he tried against the others.
“The only great one who has supported me the whole time has been Lleyton Hewitt,” Kyrgios said.
“Like, he knows. He’s our Davis Cup captain, and he knows I do mine.
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“I mean, look, as for the greats of Australian tennis, they haven’t always been the friendliest with me personally,” Kyrgios added. “They haven’t always supported me. They haven’t supported me these two weeks. So it’s hard for me to read the things they say about me. I’m definitely the pariah of Australian players.
“It’s pretty sad because I don’t get any support from any of the other Australian tennis players, on the male side. Not from the players, but like the greats of the past. It’s weird that they only have a sick obsession with knocking me down for some reason.
“Like, I don’t know if I don’t like or have, like, scared. I don’t know. I don’t know what it is. But it sucks, because if they were inverted roles., If you saw (Alex) De Minaur in a finale, or if you saw Jordan Thompson or Thanasi (Kokkinakis), I would be excited. I would be excited. I would look at myself, going crazy. “
As for his clash with Nadal, the Australian said he was expecting a “third chapter” after going 1-1 in two previous games against the Spaniard at Wimbledon.
Djokovic’s saga “a complete mess”
“My energy was so focused on playing [Nadal] and tactically how I’m going to go out and play, the thrills of walking around, all that kind of stuff, ”said Kyrgios, who said he had learned of Christmas’s decision to summon him while he was having dinner.
“But, you know, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to do that [withdraw]. … He has barely lost a game this year. I probably wanted to go for all four. So it would not be easy. I hope it improves.
“To be honest, I had a shocking dream last night,” Kyrgios added. “I probably slept for an hour with just about everything, like emotion. I had a lot of anxiety. I was already feeling so nervous, and I usually don’t feel nervous.”
He added: “I was restless. So many thoughts in my head about a Wimbledon final. That’s all I was thinking. I was just thinking. [about] playing, obviously imagining myself winning, imagining myself losing. All. I feel like I’m just a reckless energy ball right now. I just want to get out on the training court now, hit some tennis balls and talk. I do not know. I want it to come. Yes, I want the final to come. “
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