
Kyrgios, who will face the Serbian six-time champion in Sunday’s Wimbledon ultimate, prompted a stir on a podcast in 2019 when he branded Djokovic “cringeworthy” and claimed he was obsessive about eager to be preferred.
However after Kyrgios criticised Djokovic’s therapy by border officers in his homeland forward of this 12 months’s Australian Open, he says they’re now so pleasant they even change messages on social media.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic might have had a frosty relationship through the years, however the Australian now says it’s extra of a “bromance”.
“We positively have a little bit of a bromance now, which is bizarre,” stated the world quantity 40.
“I believe everybody is aware of there was no love misplaced for some time there.
“I believe it was wholesome for the game. I believe each time we performed one another, there was hype round it. It was attention-grabbing for the media, the folks watching, all that.
“I felt like I used to be virtually the one participant and somebody to face up for him with all that drama on the Australian Open.
“I really feel like that’s the place respect is sort of earned. Not on the tennis court docket, however I really feel like when a real-life disaster is going on and somebody stands up for you.
“We really message one another on DMs in Instagram now and stuff. It’s actual bizarre. Truly, earlier within the week, he was like ‘hopefully I’ll see you Sunday’.”
Djokovic smiled when Kyrgios’ feedback have been put to him after his four-set victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
“I don’t know if I can name it a bromance, but, however we positively have a greater relationship than what it was in all probability previous to January this 12 months,” he stated.
“However when it was actually robust for me in Australia, he was one of many only a few gamers that got here out publicly and supported me and stood by me. That’s one thing I really recognize. So I respect him for that loads.”
Kyrgios continues to divide opinion along with his on-court behaviour, however Australian former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis says that’s what makes him so harmful.
“Look, everyone knows he has the sport to go all the way in which,” stated Philippoussis. “That’s by no means been the difficulty. He’s obtained to remain centered. He’s obtained a chance.
“When he made the quarters final time he was a uncooked teenager, all the pieces was recent, new and thrilling and there have been no expectations. Now we all know he’s obtained a whole lot of expertise, we all know he’s obtained the sport.