"Novak needs to be playing at all costs" - Kyrgios on Djokovic at Australian Open
ATP
Nick Kyrgios spoke about Novak Djokovic in light of the upcoming Australian Open and Serbian's possible absence.
The two met in this year's Wimbledon Championships final. That match ended better for Djokovic, who was able to win it 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3). Now, they were supposed to meet again at the 2022 World Tennis League.
The World Tennis League is an off-season exhibition event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and in 2022, Kyrgios is part of the Eagles team, while Djokovic played for the Falcons.
The tournament is played in a round-robin format, so every team would meet at some point, meaning Djokovic and Kyrgios were set to meet as well. That was until the Serbian had to withdraw from the tournament after he lost to Alexander Zverev in his first match.
Kyrgios spoke about Djokovic's withdrawal afterward, and he understood the Serbian's decision to pull out of the tournament.
"I was pretty excited to play Novak obviously, since the Wimbledon final and all that, wanted to go out there and have some fun with him. But he's got to look after his body and obviously he's a got a big couple of months coming up with a lot of expectations, so I wasn't surprised if he wasn’t feeling 100 per cent to get out there."
Speaking to AFP in Dubai, Kyrgios also spoke about the upcoming Australian Open, saying that he hopes Djokovic will be allowed to compete at the tournament.
"I think Novak needs to be playing at all costs. He's one of the greatest of all time and as long as he's going to be playing and hanging around, we need him at these tournaments."
"I think, as a competitor, I want to see him there. And if I win a tournament, if you don't go through Novak, then you kind of know the tournament isn't really a tournament."
