Nick Kyrgios believes Novak Djokovic “needs to be playing at all costs” and is pleased the Serb might be allowed again into Australia to compete within the opening Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne subsequent month.
Djokovic was banned from returning to Australia as a consequence of being deported earlier this 12 months over his refusal to be vaccinated.
However, that call has been reversed and the 21-time main champion will get the chance to vie for a record-extending tenth Australian Open crown in just a few weeks’ time.
Kyrgios was probably the most outspoken gamers advocating for Djokovic throughout his deportation debacle final January and the Australian world quantity 22 feels the 35-year-old’s presence is important at each occasion.
“I think Novak needs to be playing at all costs,” Kyrgios informed AFP on the World Tennis League in Dubai on Wednesday.
“He’s one of the greatest of all time and as long as he’s going to be playing and hanging around, we need him at these tournaments.”
Djokovic’s absence from two of the 4 majors in 2022 because of his vaccination standing has made method for younger expertise to emerge.
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz claimed a maiden Grand Slam title on the US Open and in consequence grew to become the youngest world primary in ATP historical past.
“I think, as a competitor, I want to see him there,” Kyrgios mentioned of Djokovic.
“And if I win a tournament, if you don’t go through Novak, then you kind of know the tournament isn’t really a tournament.”
Kyrgios and Djokovic have been scheduled to sq. off in Dubai on Wednesday however the Serb pulled out forward of the match and was changed by his team-mate Grigor Dimitrov.
“Novak Djokovic announced that he would not be partaking in the World Tennis League event tonight (21 December) due to not feeling 100 per cent well enough to play,” learn a press release launched by the WTL.
“Team Falcons will continue to play against Team Eagles and we look forward to Novak’s return to centre court.”
Kyrgios was eager to get again on court docket towards Djokovic, who defeated the Australian within the Wimbledon last final July.
“I was pretty excited to play Novak obviously, since the Wimbledon final and all that, wanted to go out there and have some fun with him,” mentioned Kyrgios.
“But he’s got to look after his body and obviously he’s a got a big couple of months coming up with a lot of expectations, so I wasn’t surprised if he wasn’t feeling 100 per cent to get out there.”
The WTL is a blended group occasion happening at Dubai’s Coca Cola Arena that includes 18 of the world’s high gamers between December 19 and 24.
