3 minute read
It wasn't long ago that Nick Kyrgios berated Novak Djokovic as a "tool" - but now he's enjoying a fine bromance with the man who stands in his way at Wimbledon.
In his time, Nick Kyrgios has called Novak Djokovic a "tool", accused the Serb of having a "sick obsession" with wanting to be liked and sneered that he just couldn't stand the man.
But now that the Australian is ready to face his old favourite punching bag in the Wimbledon final, he smiles that the bitter barbs have been replaced by a fine "bromance" between the pair.
It's "weird", Kyrgios admits, evidently barely able to believe it himself - but it's true.
The most famous enmity in modern tennis is history, replaced by a new mutual admiration society ever since Kyrgios became one of Djokovic's most vociferous defenders over his detention in Melbourne in the COVID-19 vaccination drama that clouded the Australian Open.
"We definitely have a bit of a bromance now - which is weird," said Kyrgios on Friday, when asked by AAP to reflect on how their relationship had changed so markedly in just six months.
"We actually message each other on DMs in Instagram now and stuff. It's real weird.
"Actually, earlier in the week, he was like, 'hopefully I'll see you Sunday'."
Indeed, Djokovic got his wish when he beat Britian's Cameron Norrie in four sets to set up his record-setting grand slam final No.32 against the slam final debutant Kyrgios.
"I think everyone knows there was no love lost for a while there," said the Canberra showman.
"It was healthy for the sport. Every time we played each other, there was hype around it. It was interesting for the media, the people watching, all that.
"I felt like I was almost the only player and someone to stand up for him with all that drama at the Australian Open.
"I feel like that's where respect is kind of earned. Not on the tennis court, but I feel like when a real-life crisis is happening and someone stands up for you."
Djokovic certainly never forgot that in a torrid time.
"When it was really tough for me in Australia, he was one of the very few players that came out publicly and supported me and stood by me," Djokovic said.
"That's something I truly appreciate. So I respect him for that a lot."
But bromance? That idea clearly left Djokovic smiling.
"I don't know if I can call it a bromance, yet," the 20-times major winner grinned.
"But we definitely have a better relationship than what it was probably prior to January this year."
It's certainly a world away from when Kyrgios would just adore winding up Djokovic, whether it be by suggesting he wasn't even in the 'GOAT' argument or by taking the mickey out of his match victory celebrations.
Three years ago, Kyrgios, who holds a 2-0 career record against men's tennis's longest-serving world No.1, sniffed: "No matter how many grand slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me.
"Simply because, I've played him twice and, like, I'm sorry, but if you can't beat me, you're not the greatest of all-time.
"Because if you like look at my day-to-day routine and how much I train and how much I put in, it's zero compared to him."
On another tack, Kyrgios chipped in: "I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger (Federer).
'I don't care right now ... I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can't stand him."
Of Djokovic's now time-honoured heart-throwing gesture to all four sides of the court, he said: "It's like so cringe-worthy, very cringeworthy."
And during the middle of the COVID pandemic, when Djokovic held his now notorious tournaments in the Balkans, Kyrgios called him "bone-headed", noting, "Hell of a tennis player ... Unfortunately when he was supposed to show some leadership and humility he went missing."
One thing hasn't changed, though - Kyrgios's determination to come out on top again.
"A Kyrgios-Djokovic final would be mouth-watering," he said - and no-one is arguing.
