"Let's do WWE in the crowd": Nick Kyrgios offers to sort out Novak Djokovic heckler from Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios offered to confront a fan who attacked Novak Djokovic during his victory at the 2024 Australian Open against local player Alexei Popyrin in the second round. Kyrgios is part of the Eurosport commentators during the Australian Open broadcasts while remaining off the courts.

The Serbian secured the win with a score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, advancing to the third round where he will face the 30th seed Argentine Tomas Etcheverry. During the match, Nole grew tired of a spectator who constantly shouted and booed him. Djokovic confronted the spectator, telling him to say it to his face.

After the match, the 24-times Grand Slam champion answered some questions from Eurosport with Kyrgios present. The world No. 1 gave his opinion on the circumstances of playing against a part of the crowd in disagreement during the match with the local player Popyrin: “You have to accept the circumstances you are playing in,” Djokovic stated.

“People made noise between the first and second serve the entire match. It is what it is. Of course, it annoys you,” the 36-year-old athlete added. “What really frustrates me is when someone is heckling. I confront hecklers. I think Nick Kyrgios loved that. Nick, did you like that exchange?” Djokovic said.

The 10-times AO champion revealed what he said to the spectator: “I invited the guy to come and say it to my face. He was then apologizing and there is an absence of courage when he has to face me.”

Australian Kyrgios expressed his support to Djokovic during the broadcast and offered to defend his colleague, with whom he has a close relationship: “When he was heckling you, Novak, I told everyone worldwide if you want me to jump into the crowd and sort him out I’ll do it for you, bro.”

“I’ve got your back, 100 per cent. Let’s do WWE in the crowd. I’ll jump in for you. I’ll go first and get that guy out of here,” Kyrgios claimed. ‘I’d love that. Get the popcorn and watch that!’ Djokovic added.

The defending champion will play the third round on Friday, January 19, against Etcheverry, with whom he has two matches, both in 2023, and victories for the Serbian in straight sets.