Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have come a long way in their icy relationship from years past.
Before the Wimbledon men’s final, Kyrgios has gone so far as to call it “bromance,” though Djokovic believes this is driving him.
“We definitely have a bit of bromance now, which is weird,” said Kyrgios, a talented and mercurial Australian in his first Grand Slam final.
“Everyone knows there was no lost love for a while there. I think it was healthy for the sport.”
Speaking before the final, Kyrgios added: “We’re actually getting messages from direct messages on Instagram now and all of that, it’s very weird. In fact, earlier in the week, he said, ‘I hope to see you on Sunday.’
Djokovic smiled when Kyrgios’ comments were made to him.
“I still don’t know if I can call it bromance, but we definitely have a better relationship than we probably had before January of this year,” he said.
The thaw in their relationship began when Kyrgios was one of the few people Djokovic defended when the 20-time Grand Slam champion was arrested in Australia during the dispute over his vaccination status and was eventually deported from the country. .
“When it was very difficult for me in Australia, he was one of the few players who came out publicly, supported me and kept me on the sidelines,” said Djokovic, who hopes to win his seventh All-Star title. England Club.
“That’s something I really appreciate. So I respect him a lot for that.”
Image: Novak Djokovic is a 20-time Grand Slam champion
In 2019, Kyrgios called Djokovic “worthy of the left”, saying the former Serbian world number one was obsessed with wanting to be liked.
He also said Djokovic was a player who angered him “in the wrong way.”
Djokovic said at the time that while he respected Kyrgios ’talent on a tennis court, he had no respect for him off the court.
Image: Stefanos Tsitsipas (L) and Nick Kyrgios had a public dispute over the last fortnight
Now the couple are exchanging friendly messages on social media, including, jokingly, making plans to have dinner together after the finale.
In an Instagram exchange, Kyrgios asked, “Are we friends now?”
“If you invite me over for a drink or dinner, I agree. Tomorrow’s PS winner pays,” Djokovic returned.
Kyrgios replied, “Deal, let’s go to a nightclub and go crazy.”