Nick Kyrgios has urged the fans to appreciate just having Novak Djokovic around. Djokovic, 35, is still perfectly healthy and he has indicated several times in recent months that he is not thinking about retirement just yet.
But Federer, who is regarded as the ultimate tennis icon, retired from tennis after the 2022 Laver Cup. With Federer gone, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remain the only active Big Three Group members. “I think it is just so important to have him around.
Obviously, one of the greatest already left us last year, Roger [Federer] and I don’t think we actually knew how special these guys are to our sport. So every time Novak is around at one of these events, I will want to beat him – even if I can’t at a Grand Slam, but it is very important to have him around because he is one of the most important [players] for our sport,” Kyrgios said, per Sportskeeda.
Kyrgios wants Djokovic to receive a warm welcome at Melbourne Park
On Friday, Kyrgios defeated Djokovic in an exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena. After the match, Kyrgios spoke extremely highly of Djokovic and urged the Melbourne crowd to show respect for the Serb when he takes on the court for his Australian Open matches.
12 months, some Australians made it clear they wanted Djokovic to be deported. Now, Djokovic is again in Australia and allowed to compete at the Australian Open. “I would just say that Novak is here and he hasn’t made any rules.
All he wants to do is put on a show. He’s chasing things that athletes are rarely able to chase. He’s one of the greatest athletes of all time, not just on the tennis court. He’s here to put on a show for Melbourne itself. I think as fans, we should be appreciating him.
Obviously, I know that there are going to be fans that are not going to want him to win, but I think they can’t cross that line as fans. You guys have paid money to watch a guy play. It’s pretty contradictory if you’re going to go there and be a clown about it.
You’ve got to respect him a little bit at the end of the day because he’s one of the best,” Kyrgios explained.
