In his latest interview Nick Kyrgios has urged the Australian Open committee to revisit Novak Djokovic’s exclusion from the competition nine months ago and to allow him to compete at Melbourne Park next year.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner, who was unvaccinated against COVID-19, had his visa cancelled twice after arriving in Australia ahead of the Australian Open becoming the protagonist of a major diplomatic and media storm between Serbia and Australia.
“I hope he’s here, for the sport, we just saw one of the legends leave the sport – Roger [Federer] – and that’s some shoes no one is ever going to fill,” Kyrgios told the Herald Sun on Friday.
Kyrgios, even though he lost to Djokovic in his maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in July said that he would much rather face the former world No 1 instead of winning against another player.
“Me being a competitor, I want to see Novak there,” he said, adding that “He is some of the reason I play, as a kid you want to play the best players in the world in the best stadiums.”
“Hopefully he is there, I know he’s had a rough run the last nine months, not being able to play here. Hopefully Australia welcomes him with open arms this time.”
On the same note, Djokovic himself said that he had been given “positive signs” from Australian Open officials to return, explaining that he should have confirmation in the next few weeks regarding the outcome of his request.
“When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but unofficially,” he told Sportal.
“We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia. In fact, they are communicating with the authorities in charge of my case. I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks – whatever that answer might be, but of course I am hoping for a positive one – so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the season, if that start is going to happen in Australia. I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best.”
Djokovic added that Australia has always been the place where he has played his best tennis and that he his extra motivated to return.
“This time, more than ever. I am hoping for a positive answer.”
