Nick Kyrgios funnily shared that he is not really a big fan of covering Novak Djokovic's at the start of Grand Slams because he feels the Serb "plays around with his food" and that is something that makes him very frustrated because he has to sit down in the booth for more than he probably should.
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Since the Australian was limited to only one tournament in the last two seasons, he found something else to do while recovering from his surgeries. So in late 2023, he made his commentary debut for Tennis Channel during the ATP Finals. Since then, Kyrgios also worked at this year's Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
While covering some of the biggest tournaments this year, Kyrgios stumbled upon Djokovic several times and it would often lead to the two joking around. But while the 2022 Wimbledon finalist now has an outstanding relationship with the record 24-time Grand Slam champion, he admits that he "hates" doing his clashes.
Ive done a lot of Novak matches and he frustrates the hell out of me because I hate doing his matches early on in Slams. Because he just plays around with his food for like four hours and Im like I couldve been in my hotel an hour and a half ago,' and hell be up two sets to love. Then hell lose the third and start complaining and then hell go to his box, and there will be a 7-6 in the fourth and Im like dude, do you just enjoy keeping me here,because he knows that Im in there and then he starts losing focus. He frustrates the hell out of me, I hate doing Novaks matches," Kyrgios said on Australian Open's The Sit-Down show.
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After making his feelings clear on sitting in the booth when Djokovic plays, the former world No. 13 also mentioned Carlos Alcaraz as one of his favorite players to watch.
Ive done a lot of Alcaraz as well and I think hes probably one of my favorites to watch because hes so exciting and always has something up his sleeve that I think this tennis world hasnt seen. Hes going to keep evolving, the seven-time ATP champion added.
Djokovic was the one who sent the key message to Kyrgios
As mentioned above, the two had some practice sessions together this year and it happened at Wimbledon. Just before The Championships started, the Australian and the Serb hit some balls together. Then, the same happened during the tournament.
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At the time, Kyrgios wasn't preparing himself to return but he was rather trying to test himself and see where he was at. And that's when he received a message that changed everything for him and convinced him that he should absolutely return one more time.
I was hitting with Novak and when he said to me, It doesnt look like youve had surgery. And that was a big motivation to say like maybe Im actually making some inroads and some progress into getting back because I didnt really know. That was a big drive for me... so, if he didnt say that, I dont know if I would have been motivated and if I would have kept pushing on the thought, but that was definitely a big part of the journey when he said that to me," Kyrgios recounted.
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Kyrgios confirmed his comeback date
What had been rumored for months became official last week - the 2022 Wimbledon finalist would launch his comeback at the start of the 2025 season. It will happen at the Brisbane International, which is due to run through December 29 - January 05.
Ahead of his comeback, Kyrgios highlighted several times that his ultimate goal will be to reach the level where he can contend for Grand Slams. Also, he remarked that he believes his return won't necessarily make some of his colleagues happy.
"Whether a player wants me to come back or not, I don't think there will be too many happy faces seeing me back on the tour. I had a lot of friends and also a lot of people that didn't get along with me which I think is completely normal in sport and I think the tennis world needs a bit more of that," he said.
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Returning from a serious wrist injury and surgery has never been an easy comeback for any tennis player - the best examples are Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem.
However, if Kyrgios can avoid further wrist issues and avoid major injuries, it would definitely help him in his bid to win a Grand Slam before retiring.
