Exhibition match proves despite 2022 drama, Novak Djokovic has never been more loved down under

You’d be foolish to read too much into Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic’s on-court play during their warm-up exhibition match ahead of next week’s Australian Open.

But judging from the crowd’s reaction, one thing is for sure: any concerns about the reception the nine-time champion will receive at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight can officially be put to bed.

From the moment he arrived on Rod Laver Arena to warm applause, through his traditional exhibition match antics which included underarm serves, fake spats with the chair umpire and even a mid-set beverage with Kyrgios, and right to the final point, the affection for Djokovic was palpable.

Indeed, for a man whose achievements at Melbourne Park have never quite been matched in scope by public support, especially compared to fellow icons Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the goodwill was arguably as substantial as at any point in the 21-time grand slam champion’s career.

Kyrgios may have ‘won’ the event, thanks to a super-tiebreak featuring wheelchair tennis stars David Wagner and Heath Davidson and two junior tennis hopefuls.

But having at times been at odds with Australian tennis fans over the years – he was notably frustrated by the crowd’s lack of support during his 2020 final against Dominic Thiem – Djokovic was nevertheless thrilled with the groundswell of support. After more than a decade of unparalleled dominance on these courts, perhaps the public has finally fully embraced the ‘Djoker’.

“It just feels great to be back in Australia, back in Melbourne,” Djokovic said after the match.

“This is the court and the stadium where I created the best memories of my tennis career. Back in 2008 was the first time I won a grand slam, it was here. 15 years later, I’m here again and I’m competing at a high level.

“I must be very grateful for this opportunity to be here, so thank you guys for welcoming me in a good way tonight. I appreciate that.”

Both seemed to welcome the chance to test out their recent ailments ahead of the real stuff next week – Kyrgios pulled out of the United Cup citing a knee issue, while Djokovic appeared hampered by a hamstring injury during his Adelaide International triumph.

The pair showed glimpses of their scintillating best – Djokovic’s court coverage was exceptional as always, while Kyrgios unleashed several swashbuckling backhands that left even the Serbian maestro in awe.

But with the chance of a rematch at the quarter-final stage of the Open, should both make it that far, there was understandable hesitancy to do anything but keep their cards close to the chest.

“I don’t think we’ll be this friendly to each other!” Djokovic joked when asked about a potential quarter-final against his one-time enemy turned close friend.

“I know Nick and I are in the same part of the draw – he didn’t know that, by the way, before the match. I told him.

“He was like ‘I didn’t see the draw’. I was like ‘We are in the same quarter’. But it’s okay, it’s fine. He had a lot going on off the court!”

Kyrgios, like Djokovic, faces a new challenge over the next fortnight – for the first time in years, he will be Australia’s great white hope of grand slam glory, following Ash Barty’s retirement last year.

It’s a label that hasn’t sat comfortably with him over the years, and while a career-best 2022 season brought a new level of professionalism out of the oft-laidback 27-year old, Kyrgios admitted it ‘will be hard’ to replicate that campaign.

“It’s a lot of training, it’s a lot of work,” Kyrgios said of making it to the very top of world tennis.

“I just want to be able to eat whatever I want, drink what I want to drink, and then just relax. It’s a hard lifestyle – the dedication that these guys show day in, day out.

“I did a bit of that last year, had a great year to show the world I’m still one of the best.

“I’m going to try and do it this year, and hopefully I can do it, but it’ll be hard.”

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Djokovic, who lost his first two career encounters with Kyrgios before besting him at last in a tight Wimbledon final last year, knows firsthand just what damage the Australian can inflict on the big stage.

“As far as I’m concerned, he can win anything,” he said.

We’ll have to find out next week whether that’s true.