Nick Kyrgios 'would be Top 10 easily' if he had more discipline says Novak Djokovic
NewsFriday, 12 September 2025 at 18:26
Novak Djokovic has a great relationship with Nick Kyrgios, and he often speaks highly about the Australian.
Three years ago, Djokovic and Kyrgios met in the Wimbledon final. It was Kyrgios' first major final, while the Serbian legend played his 32nd and won his seventh Wimbledon title, his 21st Grand Slam title.
Since then, Kyrgios' career trajectory has not continued the way many expected after he reached his first Grand Slam final. Instead of breaking into the Top 10 on the ATP Tour for the first time in his tennis career, the Australian has struggled with injuries, which have kept him out of play ever since.
Now, it seems increasingly likely that Kyrgios will soon end his career without being able to follow up on his great success from the 2022 season. The man who denied the Australian a chance of winning his only singles major title, Djokovic, now spoke about Kyrgios in an interview with CLAY.
Djokovic revealed that the two keep in touch, with Kyrgios often sending him videos from bars when he meets a group of Serbians.
"He sent me a video once. He loves sending me clips from nightclubs, bars – I didn’t even reply to the last one! He always says: 'Why do I keep running into Serbs everywhere in the world?' He’ll go to a party, bump into one of ours, they’ll say: 'Nick, you Serb!' Then they hug, drink, and he sends me the videos."
Apart from partying, Djokovic also spoke about Kyrgios' career. He would want to see him compete regularly again, even though the Serbian player knows that the chances of that happening are becoming slimmer with each passing day.
"I’d really love for him to come back, because he’s been through so much with injuries. He means a lot to our sport. As controversial and different as he is, people love it – he draws the crowds. I saw him talking with Bublik about playing a match against [Aryna] Sabalenka, a 'Battle of the Sexes' like Billie Jean King back in the day. That would be very interesting if it happens."
"I hope he can finish his career on the court. It would be a shame if injuries prevented him from playing at least a few more big tournaments. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the discipline that was required, but if he had 30 percent – and he has five percent – he’d be Top 10 easily."
Kyrgios doesn't hide the fact that he has competed without proper warm-ups or training sessions throughout his career. Djokovic believes that if the Australian had taken his career more seriously, he could have achieved greater success.
"He played a Wimbledon final without warm-up, without serious training, without a coach, and beat all of us at the top. He has so much talent and potential, he could have done incredible things, but neglecting his body brought him where he is. As a friend, I really like him and hope he comes back – to play that match with Sabalenka and at least his Australian Open, because he deserves that."
"It’s not an easy situation for a tennis player – you don’t know, you’re neither here nor there, unofficially retired but still trying. I wish him all the best, and maybe a little less drinking and sending those videos."
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