Novak Djokovic 'almost impossible to beat' - Nick Kyrgios says star 'better than he’s ever been' at 2024 Australian Open
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 14/01/2024 at 09:04 GMT
Novak Djokovic looks the player to beat again in the men's draw in the Australian Open as he aims to win his 25th Grand Slam title. Eurosport's Nick Kyrgios has been giving his verdict on who could challenge Djokovic in Melbourne and why he is so difficult to beat. Kyrgios has also explained how playing Djokovic compares to the challenge of taking on Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
'I'm keen to see what the BOAT has to offer' - Kyrgios on Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios believes Novak Djokovic is “better than he’s ever been” as he bids for an 11th Australian Open title and says beating him over five sets is “a whole different beast” to doing it over three.
Djokovic has not lost at the Australian Open since 2018, winning the last four times in a row he has played the Grand Slam.
He won three of the four majors in 2023 and will be looking for more success in the biggest tournaments this season.
Kyrgios, who lost to Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, is missing his home Grand Slam as he recovers from injury.
Speaking on Eurosport ahead of commentating on Djokovic’s opening match in Melbourne, Kyrgios said the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are “knocking on the door” but still face a tough task to dethrone the No. 1.
“For me Sinner is the one who made the biggest strides at the end of last year in those indoor tournaments, up to the ATP Finals in Turin, he’s yet to win a Slam but is knocking on the door.
“Alcaraz has won two majors so he’s been there and done it… but there’s no doubt that Djokovic is the clear favourite.
"Just reflect on his performances in 2023, won three of the four majors, just lost 6-4 in the fifth in the final set in Wimbledon. So his level is I think better than he’s ever been. And he said that, so I think that’s the warning sign, that’s what all the other players are up against.”
Kyrgios holds a 2-1 winning record against Djokovic, having won his first two meetings against him.
However, both those wins came in three-set matches rather than at Grand Slams.
“In best of three it is possible, in best of five it’s a whole different beast,” said Kyrgios about the challenge of facing Djokovic at Grand Slams.
“You saw the greats of [Roger] Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, even struggled against Novak on the biggest stages in the world.
“Do I believe there are players in the draw who can do it? Yes. Alcaraz, Sinner, [Daniil] Medvedev, [Alexander] Zverev, there are a bunch of players who can do it, but it is an incredibly tough task.
“We’ll see how his wrist is, that was a concern coming into the tournament, but I’m keen to see what the BOAT [Best Of All Time] has to offer, and if he finds his feet... he definitely is the favourite.
"I think he can be beaten but I’m going to have to see it."
Asked whether it is possible to ruffle Djokovic mentally, Kyrgios added: “Look, I don’t think his wrist is too big of an issue, but any sort of advantage a player… if I know his wrist is sore, I’m going to ask him at change of ends ‘how’s the wrist doing’ but it’s impossible to get in his head.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/01/14/3861412-78461173-2560-1440.jpg)
'We have a bromance now' - Kyrgios on friendship with Djokovic
“I tried to at Wimbledon, he’s the greatest of all time for a reason, he’s so composed."
Kyrgios also likened Djokovic to a “ping-pong machine” when comparing the challenge of facing him to taking on Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
“Rafa has that big game style and that physicality, big leftie, you know his patterns but you can’t do anything about it. And Roger Federer could make you feel so bad on the court, shrinking the court, taking time away from you, you never feel settled.
“At least with Novak you know you’re going to have those exchanges, those long gruelling exchanges. You know you’re going to get warm, know you’re going to get into it, and then that’s the problem of trying to work out how to beat him, he’s like a ping-pong machine.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/01/14/3861405-78461033-2560-1440.jpg)
'Especially Djokovic' - Kyrgios on giving insights on fellow pros for Eurosport
On the conditions in Melbourne favouring Djokovic, Kyrgios said: "When the sun is not out and it cools down... it becomes really, really slow. And that honestly favours players like Djokovic which is why he’s had so much success here.
"He plays around this time of the day, it’s nice and slow for him, he can run, change direction and it is almost impossible to beat him."
Kyrgios and Djokovic once had a frosty relationship but in recent years have grown closer.
There were even suggestions that the pair might go out for dinner after their Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios said: “We have a bit of a bromance now and we are actually good friends!”
- - -
Stream top tennis action, including the 2024 Australian Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/6944.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/4354.png)