Despite Nick Kyrgios’ best efforts, world No.2 Novak Djokovic says he has no problem with Australian tennis’ livewire at the season-opening ATP Cup tournament.
Kyrgios has tried to be on his best behaviour on court with a 16-match suspended ban hanging over his head until March.
Off the court? Not so much, it seems.
The world No.30 surprised onlookers when he emerged after midnight with some mates to heckle Djokovic from the stands during the Serbian star’s doubles ATP Cup clash with France on Monday night.
Kyrgios was supposed to be resting after missing Australia’s 3-0 win over Canada the same evening due to a back complaint.
Yet Kyrgios appeared to be in vintage form in the grandstand, captured on social media yucking it up with his entourage and relishing every mistake made by the 16-time grand slam champion.
It wasn’t the first time Kyrgios had taken aim at Djokovic.
The former world No.13 didn’t hold back in an infamous podcast last year, accusing the 32-year-old of having a “sick obsession with wanting to be liked”.
However, when asked if he was disappointed by Kyrgios’ latest antics in Brisbane, a diplomatic Djokovic said on Wednesday: “To be honest not really.
“I didn’t see him in the stands but then I saw the videos after that (on social media).
“I know he’s a good buddy with (France’s Gael) Monfils and with the French team, so, you know, it’s fine.
“I think it’s entertaining to have him or to have any other player coming out, to have a well-known player coming out to see other teams and other matches.
“I think it attracts a lot of attention and I think brings excitement to the people in the stands, but also the viewers.”
But in what seemed like a cheeky dig, the defending Australian Open champion then added: “And Kyrgios knows how to have fun and how to attract attention, that’s for sure.”
Kyrgios didn’t miss in his assessment of Djokovic in last year’s podcast, describing the Serbian as a “champion of the sport” but claiming the tennis great was too desperate to be admired like popular Roger Federer.
“This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like so cringeworthy,” he said.
It didn’t stop Djokovic from launching his now trademark post-match celebration on Wednesday, projecting a heart shape towards all four corners of Pat Rafter Arena following his straight sets singles win over Chile’s Cristian Garin.
It helped Serbia claim a 2-1 tie win over Chile and complete their round robin matches with a perfect 3-0 record.
Still, Kyrgios may yet get another chance to get under Djokovic’s skin at the ATP Cup.
Serbia will join Australia in the inaugural tournament’s finals series after the hosts also went through the round robin stage undefeated, capped by a 3-0 win over Greece on Tuesday night sealed by Kyrgios’ epic singles win over world No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
