The Novak Djokovic-Nick Kyrgios bromance just went to a new level.
Djokovic on Tuesday night defied fierce heat and a battling performance from American Taylor Fritz in the Australian Open quarter-finals to stay on track for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam.
He’ll play the winner of the match between Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev for a place in Sunday’s final.
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The Serbian world No. 1 struggled with the conditions early in the contest but came through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a match that stretched to three hours and 45 minutes.
Djokovic, however, did manage a smile and some theatre during the match, even blew the injured Kyrgios – who was in the ESPN commentary box with the McEnroe brothers – a kiss after one of the tie-break points.
Kyrgios was then given the honours of conducting the post-match on-court interview with Djokovic.
Here’s the full interview transcript, which included a cheeky final question from Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios: So Novak – I never thought I would be here, by the way, doing this on-court interview – well done, that was an incredible performance. Taylor has improved his game so much. You had an 8-0 head-to-head. You are gunning for an 11th title here, so what keeps you going right now In front of these fans?
Novak Djokovic: Yeah, I need a mic … thanks, man. Good to see you, man. Great to see you. You’re looking good in that booth, but looking better here. Hopefully with a racquet also, soon. Yeah! We miss Nick! Come on, guys! Show him some love … Yeah what was the question about? Oh yeah, oh man … I suffered a lot first couple of sets also due to his high-quality tennis. He was serving well, he was staying close to the line, it was really kind of suffocating me from back of the court. Most of the rallies I was on my back foot. It was difficult to find the right timing. It was extreme hot while the sun was still out there. Physically very draining, emotionally as well. Huge round of applause for Fritz for a great performance today and also this tournament … He’s played amazing tennis.
NK: So, you were actually zero from 15 break points today. That was the first time ever in your career you weren’t able to take one. How were you able to keep bouncing back? Because he was serving great today. I sat in that box for four hours, by the way, commentating. You were blowing me kisses, sticking your tongue out. But yeah, zero from 15 – how did you keep bouncing back?
ND: It felt like playing you, man, with your serve. I mean, we all know Taylor has one of the best serves in the world, he’s had one of the best serves for many years. When he’s feeling it – I saw him playing Tsitsipas a few days ago and he was serving, extremely well – so I knew the kind of threat he poses when he serves on such a high quality. Conversion of the break points was really poor – I saw I think it was four of 21 today – but I think at the end of the day, I managed to break him when it mattered in the third and fourth. I think I upped my game probably midway through the third set all the way to the end. I served extremely well. I think I had probably even more aces than he did, which is a surprise stat but it helped a lot obviously in this kind of match-up.
NK: Your next match is either between Jannik Sinner or Andrey Rublev – and you’re going to keep them here until late tonight, by the way, because they’re still going to be playing tonight …
ND: Are you doing that match?
NK: No, I’m going to bed … so what are your thoughts on that? Sinner had success against you to the end of last year. But, I mean, two young guns there.
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ND: Yeah, different match-up. Obviously both Sinner and Rublev are in great form. I watched Rublev the other night against (Alex) de Minaur, five sets, some of the quickest, gruelling exchanges I’ve seen on Rod Laver (Arena) in years. They both played incredible tennis. Sinner, he’s probably playing tennis of his life. He had a fantastic ending of the last season and we had a couple of great encounters in Torino, also the Davis Cup, very close ones going 7-6, 7-5 in the third. So, yeah. I can expect him to always play on the highest level. But, look, let’s get some popcorn, you and I … we chill on the sofa and we enjoy the match and watch them play.
NK: Last question, because I know I’m probably never going to do this ever again. So I know there is a tree in the Royal Botanical Gardens that you go to and you hug and I don’t know what you do. Can you show me which tree it is? Because I need to get healthy, because I’m sick of you winning on this court – and I just want to come back once and beat you one time. Show me the tree, where’s the tree?
ND: OK, I will show you the tree. But you can’t tell anyone. It is a big secret. So what you’ve got to do is take off your shoes, climb the tree (to) the highest point and hang upside-down on one of the highest branches for 33 minutes and three seconds … And you’re going to win a slam.
NK: Alright, Novak Djokovic – give it up! He’s into the quarter-finals … semi-finals!
The win was Djokovic’s 33rd consecutive victory in Melbourne, a startling run stretching back to 2018. He did not compete at the event in 2022 due to his coronavirus vaccination status.
Victory also leaves the Serb just two wins from standing alone as the only player in history — male or female — to have collected 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic, who has never failed to win the Australian Open once he has reached the semi-finals, is level with Margaret Court on 24 majors.
But he is already out on his own in men’s tennis — two clear of the injured Rafael Nadal and four ahead of the retired Roger Federer.
— with AFP
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