Full post match interview with Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic. “I never thought I would be here, btw”, says Nick. Thinks this is the first time an active player interviews another on court. After such an high profile match…
"Let's get some popcorn, let's chill on the sofa": Novak Djokovic tells interviewer Nick Kyrgios as Jannik Sinner or Andrey Rublev await
ATPTuesday, 23 January 2024 at 10:51
Novak Djokovic saw off a stern test as he took down Taylor Fritz 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the end after by his own admission being suffocated off the court at times in the early exchanges of his Quarter-Final at the 2024 Australian Open. But number 11 lives on and there was also another seemingly first on the court post match.
Despite the Night Session massively overrunning, Djokovic was interviewed by Nick Kyrgios who seemingly is the only active player to do interviews on court after such a match with Andrea Petkovic who has been amongst those doing them retired recently and the bromance continued.
"Looking good in that booth but looking better here, hopefully with a racquet also soon. We miss Nick. Come on guys, show him some love. I suffered a lot the first couple of sets, also due to his high quality tennis. He was serving well, he was staying close to the line. He was suffocating me from the back of the court. Most of my rallies were on my backfoot, it was really difficult to find the right timing," said Djokovic.
"It was extremely 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."
"It was extremely 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."
Djokovic sat on 0/15 break points at one point and just couldn't attack the Fritz serve and he was frustrated by his counter punch against the American. "It felt like playing you (Kyrgios) with your serve, Taylor has got one of the best serves in the world. When he's feeling it, I saw him play Tsitsipas the other day and he was serving really well so I knew the kind of threat he poses when he serves such high quality. Conversion of break points was really poor, I saw it was like 4/21 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 mid way through the third set. I served extremely well, I think I had more aces than he did which was a surprise stat but it helped in this kind of match-up."
Next up though is the matter of Jannik Sinner or Andrey Rublev and Djokovic's simple message to Kyrgios despite him saying he was going to bed was let's sit back and enjoy the show. "Both Sinner and Rublev are in great form. I watched Rublev the other night against De Minaur, some of the quickest exchanges I've seen in Rod Laver Arena in years. They both played incredible tennis. Sinner is probably playing the tennis of his life. I can expect him to play at the highest level, let's get some popcorn you and I, let's chill on the sofa and enjoy the match."
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mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
