Australian Open 2021 - 'Djokovic wants end to Nick Kyrgios spat' - Mats Wilander backs Novak in row

ByDan Quarrell

Published 10/02/2021 at 08:18 GMT

Mats Wilander has come to the defence of Novak Djokovic after Nick Kyrgios called the world number one a "very strange cat" in the latest episode in their ongoing spat at the 2021 Australian Open. Wilander does not believe Djokovic should waste any more time on the row and has also backed him over his pre-tournament requests for other players.

Novak Djokovic does not have time to waste rowing with Nick Kyrgios when he is in pursuit of greatness at the 2021 Australian Open, according to Mats Wilander.

Kyrgios responded to the top seed saying he did not respect him off the court by calling him a "very strange cat" in Melbourne with their ongoing tiff taking on new life.

But Eurosport expert Wilander has come to Djokovic's defence and believes the 33-year-old should not waste any time or energy on going back and forth with Kyrgios, who memorably described his rival as a "tool" in the build-up to the event.

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"Well Novak, I think he is trying to end it, because I don't think he's enjoying it," Wilander said in the Eurosport Cube after the Serb beat Frances Tiafoe in his second-round match.

He's trying to win his ninth Australian Open, he's in the chase to be the greatest of all time. He doesn't have time [for this] and doesn't want to waste energy.

"Then on the other hand, I think you see Nick Kyrgios, who is quite enjoying it. I also think it's a little bit of a different generation and social media has become a huge part of it.

"So it seems that Nick is enjoying it; Novak wants an end [to it]."

'Djokovic doing a great job' - Wilander backs Novak over Kyrgios in spat

Wilander also had praise for how Djokovic has attempted to look after his fellow players, in stark contrast to some of the negative reaction he has received.

"I think Novak is doing something like what Arthur Ashe did in early 1970s. He started the ATP and Jimmy Connors was not happy.

"Towards the end of the 1980s, we broke away from the Grand Prix tour, we started the ATP Tour and guys made twice as much prize money over one year from 1989 to 1990.

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"Novak is trying to start something, he’s trying to be the voice for the smaller guy. I give him a lot of credit because he knows that people are going to have opinions about what he says because he’s the number one player in the world.

"But somebody has got to have a voice for the little guy and I think the press is having a field day in criticising him.

I actually think Novak is doing a great thing and he is speaking up for the smaller guy and the player that needs to make a little bit more money.

"So Novak, you should concentrate on your tennis, but you're doing a great job!"

Highlights | Novak Djokovic - Frances Tiafoe

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