Nick Kyrgios experienced an early loss at the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia, losing to Cameron Norrie in two match tie break sets. Nick spoke about Novak Djokovic during his press conference, calling the Serb the world’s best player and welcoming him back to Australia.
Kyrgios and Djokovic were far from friends in the past, with the Aussie constantly attacking the Serb. That changed in January this year when Nick publicly defended Novak during his ten-day visa saga. Half a year later, Djokovic and Kyrgios met in the Wimbledon final and fought for a Major trophy.
Nick Kyrgios praised Novak Djokovic.
The Aussie gave his best to overpower the strongest possible rival. However, the Serb used his experience and prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours to secure his 21st Major title.
Djokovic started all over after the opening set and defended five out of six break chances to keep the pressure on the other side. He broke Nick for the first time in a career in the second set and kept everything under control in the third to build the advantage.
There were no break chances in the fourth set, and the defending champion claimed it in the tie break to seal the deal and lift the seventh Wimbledon trophy. Djokovic and Kyrgios could meet again at the upcoming Australian Open, with the Serb receiving a green light to compete at the season’s first Major.
“Novak is healthy and ready to play and put on a show for our fans and our country; we are fortunate to have him. Novak is the world’s best player. I’m glad we are welcoming him back to come in and show what a great tennis player he is.
No tournament is a full-strength event without Novak Djokovic in it. Novak, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were a three-headed monster everybody wanted to beat. Novak knows I was the only person to stand up for him when a real-life issue occurred.
Respect is when someone does that for you, talks about you and stands up for you in front of a whole nation; that’s when respect is gained, not on how you behave on a tennis court towards each other,” Nick Kyrgios said.
