Nick Kyrgios has never been afraid to speak his mind – even if that means blasting superstar rivals.
And though his relationship with Novak Djokovic has since become a ‘special’ one, Kyrgios today declared he has no regrets for his brutal sledges about the Serbian legend in the past.
Kyrgios infamously went scorched earth on the then-No. 1 in 2019, saying he “just can’t stand him,” claiming “I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked,” as well as stating: “We’re talking about a guy who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many grand slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me.”
Kyrgios doubled down in 2020, calling him “boneheaded” and a “tool” for organising a tennis tournament, the Adria Tour, during the outset of the pandemic.
Since then, the Australian has changed his tune, defending the 35-year-old icon last year following his deportation from Australia over his anti-vaccination stance.
The pair have been close since then – despite facing off in the Wimbledon final in 2022. They appeared to thoroughly enjoy each other’s company on Friday night as they raised (according to Kyrgios) $250,000 for charity with an evening exhibition.
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On Saturday, Kyrgios said: “Well, I think I’ve had relationships in the past where you have a certain feeling about someone, or they do certain things that rub you the wrong way, anything like that.
“But I think the challenge that he faced a year ago, with the whole COVID situation, no one else really stood up for him. That was a real-life moment where the people that actually care about your wellbeing will stand up for you. I just did that. I felt that was necessary.
“Obviously that was more important than anything I said previously or done previously. I went against my words and stood up for him in front of my country.
“That wasn’t easy for me either. I dealt with a lot of criticism. But obviously he appreciated that. Obviously we spoke after that. I’ve obviously grown up a lot since that interview I did.”
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However, Kyrgios said he has no regrets for the 2019 interview where he also took aim at Rafael Nadal and the Spaniard’s uncle Toni.
“I don’t really regret anything – I think life is too short to regret,” he said. “You kind of learn from these experiences. They are all kinds of building blocks.
“At the same time, I think it’s made our relationship even more special, now it’s gone from a rough sort of place to now we’re helping each other out on the biggest stage.
“To think I’m able to do that with one of the greatest of all-time is cool.
“I think my relationship with the big three is all different. I’m really close with Novak now. [I’m] quite close with Roger [Federer]. And me and Rafa – we just [nod] when we walk past each other.”
Tennis boss warns crowd to lay off Novak | 03:28
