Novak Djokovic has been practicing with Nick Kyrgios since entering the SW19 and now the Serbian has hinted his friend may be ready to return to the game.
Kyrgios remained on the sidelines almost throughout the 2023 season because of an injury and has missed whole 2024 season because of the physical woes.
Finalist at 2022 Wimbledon, the Aussie has hinted that he is planning to return to doubles action in the second half of 2024 tennis calendar but now he has told Djokovic that he could make a surprise comeback at next month’s US Open.
Djokovic revealed that he has been impressed with the level of performance the former World #12 came up with during their practice sessions and it may also have motivated him to make a comeback to the tour more quickly.
“I can tell you a few days ago when we practiced – actually yesterday I think it was when we practiced – he hit a really good serve, and he said, Well, I might come back at the US Open,” revealed Djokovic.
“So I don’t know if he was joking about it or not. But let me tell you, he’s hitting the ball as good as ever really. He’s so talented. He’s so good with his tennis.
“I think he said that the wrist bothers him mostly with the serve, but he’s been increasing the load and the intensity and the speed.
“He’s not going for full pace or full-strength serve, but he’s close to that. He’s close to that. He’s very positive. It’s nice to see him full of life, full of energy.
“Like, he’s really pumped to be here in Wimbledon enjoying our practice sessions and commentating.
“I think that the return (to tennis) is near, but it’s hard to say really because one thing is really practicing for like an hour or two, but completely something different when you are out there on the tour playing in a tournament where you have to come back every single day maybe for four, five, six days in a row.
I guess he will also not know if his wrist will react well until he actually plays a tournament. So, yeah, I hope he can come back personally, and I think everyone in tennis hopes he can come back quickly because we definitely need him on the tour.”
Djokovic had a confrontational relationship with the firebrand Aussie until he backed the legendary Serbian over his Covid-19 vaccine row that became very public and eventually resulted in his deportation from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open in 2022.
Now the duo are close friends and the 24-time Grand Slam champion suggests Kyrgios’ return would be very good for the sport.
“He’s an extremely important guy for our sport. I think he brings new fans,” Djokovic added.
“He’s been doing a terrific job actually staying in tennis with his podcast and everything that he’s been doing, interviewing Mike Tyson and some very interesting personalities from different industries.
“It’s a little bit of a bromance that we are having in last few years, considering we really didn’t like each other at all for many years. But now we are getting along very well. He was very nice also to my kids. He played with them.”