Nick Kyrgios has thrown his support behind embattled world number one and long-time rival Novak Djokovic, following the 20-time grand slam champion’s return to detention amid his ongoing battle with the Australian government.
Speaking on his No Boundaries Podcast, Kyrgios doubled down on his earlier defence of the Serbian in even more explosive style, describing the situation as ‘a s–tshow’.
The divisive Australian slammed not just the government’s handling of the fiasco, but the media for pouring fuel on the fire, and the Aussie public as well for their unwarranted hatred of Djokovic.
It’s just a s–tshow now. I’m waking up, and we’re just literally reading the media, and just something new every day. I feel like we’re just trying to find things now that aren’t right,” Kyrgios said.
“I just think it’s crazy. I feel so sorry for him… the pressures that he has are so unique; he’s going for 21 slams, being Novak Djokovic, preparing is already enough.
“I feel like dealing with the media and then already having a court case, winning that… and now getting detained again from that, still trying to practice, still trying to prepare and then now his visa’s cancelled.
“It’s an absolute s–tshow in my opinion. How we deal with this stuff is just so embarrassing, to be honest.”
Kyrgios’ endorsement comes in stark contrast to his scathing critique of Djokovic following his decision to stage a non-COVID safe tennis tournament in the Balkans during the height of the pandemic in mid-2020, where he described him as a ‘bonehead’.
Kyrgios had also blasted Djokovic for having ‘a sick obsession with wanting to be liked’ in an explosive interview with tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg in 2019. However, it appears now his opinion of the world number one has come full circle.
“He’s not doing anything to anyone. He just wants to come here, play the Australian Open,” Kyrgios said on his podcast.
“It’s very important for him to be here and play for the people. We want sport. Sport brings people together through struggle.
“The media has just ruined, in my opinion, the Australian Open, divided everyone, and it’s not what sport’s meant to do. It’s meant to bring people together.
“Fans from around the world are supposed to be competing with one another, but having fun at the end of the day.
“Now you’ve got people rioting in Serbia, and it’s just like: what the f–k are we doing?”
(Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Kyrgios, who has fallen to a ranking of 114th in the world after an injury-interrupted 2021, says this year’s Australian Open has already been ‘tarnished’ by the Djokovic drama.
“I feel like everyone’s just going to remember this Australian Open as the Novak saga,” he said.
This Hawke guy’s [Immigration Minister Alex Hawke] like, ‘He’s a threat to our borders’. And I’m just like, ‘Well, no he’s not.’
“We’re treating him like he’s a weapon of mass destruction. He’s literally here to play tennis.”
Kyrgios also slammed what he described as the ‘mistreating’ of Melburnians after two years of COVID-enforced lockdowns, but says such feelings of resentment are no excuse for mistreating Djokovic.
“I feel like I understand their [Melburnians’] anger towards him [Djokovic], being not vaccinated and having the medical exemption. I understand that side.
“But at face value, you just say, ‘Okay, he’s done what he’s needed to do, he’s got his paperwork, he’s okay to be here’. Now I feel like the people, all their anger no matter what Novak does or for what reason… they’re just going to say, get him out of our country.
“I understand people are angry, and we understand that yes, letting some people in, the country was always going to bring up some sort of argument.
“But this was supposed to be a special time for people in Melbourne – the Australian Open’s back on! Now it’s 50 per cent crowd capacity, Novak’s not going to be there, Roger’s [Federer] not here.
“It’s like, what is our government or the rules actually doing for sport now? It’s not bringing people together. It’s crazy.”
The Aussie maintained the slam needs Djokovic participating, comparing himself to Djokovic for the pair’s desire to entertain fans above all else… even, perhaps, winning.
“People think he’s selfishly here; he literally is playing tennis at the highest level for the fans, and for millions of people around the world,” Kyrgios said.
“Yes, okay, he’s chasing his legacy, he’s chasing this and that. But he’s just not here for himself.
“People are just, ‘Oh, he’s got no right to be here,’ and I’m like, ‘Bro, he’s playing, he’s going to put on a show for you guys.
“As an athlete who genuinely just wants to go out there and give people a show, I couldn’t really care whether I win or lose.
“Yes, I obviously want to win, but if I lose like against Thiem last year, after four hours and it’s a mad show, that’s why I play. And I feel like Novak is a big part of that.”
Kyrgios also sympathised heavily with the strain the saga has put on Djokovic and his family, who have led calls for his release from their home in Serbia.
“This is mental health club s–t now. Imagine how drained and how stressed his family would be,” he said.
“It’s just a f—ing joke, man. Either tell the guy to get out, or you’re in our country now, he’s been here preparing, let him play. And then he’ll leave anyway! As soon as the Australian Open is done, he’ll leave!”
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Kyrgios was critical of players coming out against Djokovic, most notably Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas described Djokovic’s stance as ‘mak[ing] the majority look like fools’, while Nadal has called for Djokovic to accept ‘consequences’ for his refusal to be vaccinated. Kyrgios wasn’t impressed with either.
“It pisses me off how Tsitsipas, Nadal and stuff – obviously everyone’s got their opinion, and that’s fine – all have to speak out about it when they get asked, but I feel like we’re only treating him like Novak Djokovic, not like a human now,” he said.
“Imagine how he’s feeling. He probably just wants a little bit of support now from other players.
“Hey bro, he’s getting it from me, like, what the f–k?”
Djokovic’s chances of appearing at the Open aren’t closed yet, with his legal team still listed in the tournament’s men’s singles draw as of Sunday morning. Should he miraculously be cleared to play at Melbourne Park, Kyrgios says a win would be ‘f—ing awesome’.
“I honestly want him to f—ing win the event,” he said.
“I want to walk around with Novak’s mask on my face.
“I just think, if Australia as a whole dealt with COVID better… if the people of Melbourne didn’t get so f—ed over with everything in these rules, I don’t think this would be such a big issue. Not as big as it is now; this is insane now.
chris
Guest
He stated that he hadn't been to other countries in the 14 days prior to Melbourne. That seems unimportant to me if you are a tennis player and applying for a visa. 99% of the players here would have been to countless countries before arriving. Yes it was incorrect for him to say NO. But even the minister stated that the reason his visa was cancelled was because of the anti vax sentiment he would whip up blah blah blah. He should never have been given the visa in the first place.
Phil Jones
Guest
And his lies on the entry form AND he went out of isolation while positive? GET REAL - Witth ur view that there is NO reason why he shouldn’t be here??? Really??? Are you a nut or what?
Phil Jones
Guest
What about his lies on forms What about his disregard and disrespect for the kids and interviewers when he KNEW he was positive
Phil Jones
Guest
Kyrgios - you are a nuPtee You say he is not hurting anyone??? What about his Disregard and disrespect for those kids and also for Interviewer at his public appearances WHILE he WAS positive That’s without his attempt at lying on his Entry Forms - blaming someone else for a administration error about his prior travel Wake up man - you are just looking for headlines as you have always done The social and MORAL injustices that he he displayed over this are appalling- AND you make NO MENTION of his failings in this area Come on - do you agree with him going out while positive? Or his lies about travel? If so - you are a lower specimen then I have imagined
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No one pays any attention to Scotty from Marketing. Certainly no pollies or bureaucrats. He exists only for stand-up comedy routines. Novak did this all by himself. Get the jabs.
chris
Guest
Agree with you on this keystone cop govt being able to orchestrate anything. Hopefully in May we get to deport them, so to speak.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
And three judges said he's a potato.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
No its not. I'm in and out of KL regularly pre COVID. Not once. The guy hits furry balls across a fence FFS. He isn't going to save the free world
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He should never have been given a sniff at entry in the first place but to suggest this government is capable of orchestrating anything at all let alone use Djokovic as a hapless pawn is bordering on hilariously optimistic. Personally I’d prefer to have the heat applied to Scotty for his tambourine playing mates going unpunished for flaunting restrictions in Newcastle.
chris
Guest
He did follow the rules. He got an exemption. Why he got an exemption is anyones guess, but he got one. To kick him out and the other Czech ladies player (who had already played a lead up tournament in Melbourne) is just political expediency. Our govt is very good at that and will win the next election yet again. It matters not how incompetent they are. They are good at brainwashing the sheeple in this country to keep voting for them.
chris
Guest
The "dodgy paperwork" was more of a technicality around countries visited in the past 2 weeks rather than the crux of the issue regarding his entry. This lame a ss govt knew he wasnt vaxxed. They knew he'd had Covid leading up to all of this. They knew he'd be high profile etc. So why the granting of the visa? He should never have been granted one. But he gets here, lame as s govt smells the political wind and see you later Joker. Once again Scotty from marketing proves the Peter principle is alive and well.
chris
Guest
Yeah I stopped reading his comment once he pre-empted it with "The Greek". He's Aussie as maaayte.
chris
Guest
I wish we could deport Morrison. Gross incompetence time and time again. What have we done to deserve this impostor? Wasn't Abbott bad enough?
Al
Guest
"The Greek". He's Australian of Cypriot and Malaysian heritage. Let's also contrast the history of the Greeks and the history of the Anglo settler-colonialist criminal class to determine which peoples have created western civilisation vs the lowest criminals of the Anglos.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Which party line is that? Both parties involved in this particular fiasco. As for myself, I do not like to discuss my own proclivities on a public forum. Suffice to say that upon my arrival to Australia, I stated quite emphatically: I have nothing to declare except my genius. In conclusion: One can survive everything nowadays except death.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
You are a bit of a sad individual if you need to base your life values on worshipping some guy who is good at hitting a small green ball around the place. There are thousands of folk right across the globe who have just had their lives turned upside down by a natural disaster, but you've fallen for the 'look over there there's a sportsperson feeling hard done by' distractions.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Nick, usually a “class” act and you have a way of expressing yourself. It’s a shame your tennis game isn’t as good.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Gold stamp right there, when this bloke disagrees...
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
One intelligent non fascist Australian, well done Kyrgios
AusHawk
Roar Rookie
Good on Kyrgios for speaking honestly about the disgrace that is the federal and state governments treatment of Novak. For any patriotic Aussie, this is clearly the fault of our politicians, media, law enforcement and bureaucrat collusion, once again. There is absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever that Djoker should not be here given his Tennis Australia exemption and compliance with all the other rules he was asked to abide by. This is a purely political attack and most of the Australian public would generally agree that he hasn't been given a fair go, but the government have been hounding us for years now over a multitude of things and as a result - we're made to be the laughing stock of the world.