Kyrgios warns Djokovic will want revenge
Melissa Woods and Ian Chadband |
Nick Kyrgios has warned a fired-up Novak Djokovic will be out to “stick it to everyone” if the nine-time champion is able to play in the Australian Open.
As Djokovic broke his silence from his Melbourne detention hotel after having his visa revoked, posting a message of thanks to his supporters, Kyrgios described the situation as a “mess”.
Djokovic is challenging an Australian Border Force decision to deport him from Australia after they deemed his medical exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination invalid.
His case will resume in court on Monday.
Kyrgios doubled down on his Friday call for Australian authorities to “do better” than the humiliating treatment of Djokovic.
He felt it wasn’t “humane” and the Serbian had been singled out due to his superstar status.
“I’m feeling for him now, it’s not really humane what’s going on … I want it to end,” Krygios said at a Sydney Tennis International press conference.
But Kyrgios doesn’t think the world No.1’s detention in a small hotel room will dent his hopes of landing a record 21st grand slam title in Melbourne.
He hopes not to meet him early in the draw.
“If he’s allowed to play the Australian Open, I don’t want any bar of him.
“I reckon he’s going to be pissed off – he’s going to be very determined to play well and stick it to everyone of what’s going on.
“I think he’ll have no problem preparing and this is just all added fuel for him.
“We all know how good of a competitor he is – you don’t become a great champion like that without being able to overcome some adversity like this and I’m sure he’s overcome a lot more challenging times than spending a couple more extra days in a hotel room.”
The pair have a chequered history but Kyrgios, who has dropped to world No.93, revealed they used to be friends who practised together before tournaments.
He said Djokovic had also been generous with his money and time when he was trying to raise money for the bushfire appeal in 2020.
“The media are so quick to jump on things like this and forget that he’s actually helped us,” 26-year-old Krygios said.
“Most athletes wouldn’t do that, they’re selfish.
“I don’t forget that and I don’t think this is right.”
Djokovic has given nothing away about the conditions he’s facing in the hotel, which also houses about 30 refugees, but took to Instagram for the first time since he arrived in Australia.
“Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” Djokovic posted.
Some supporters were still maintaining their vigil outside the hotel while Djokovic has received calls from his parents in Serbia as well as the country’s president.
In Belgrade, there was another major demonstration of support for the national Serbian hero’s plight which Djokovic’s father Srdjan attended.
“They hate him because Australian politicians have put pressure on people to hate him because he thinks with his own brain,” Djokovic senior told the rally.
“He (Djokovic) is in prison, not in custody, not in a hotel.
“They took away all his things, took away his wallet and returned it to him after a few hours,” he added, as the crowd responded with chants of “monsters, monsters!”.
With AP
AAP
