Novak Djokovic wants to coach Nick Kyrgios and makes bold grand slam claim
Novak Djokovic reveals he wants to coach Nick Kyrgios and insists he can help Australian bad boy win FIVE grand slam titles as tennis star bromance goes from strength to strength
- Novak Djokovic says he wants to coach his good friend Nick Kyrgios
- The pair have a strong relationship off the field and faced each other at Wimbledon
- Daily Mail Australia provides the latest international sports news
Novak Djokovic has set out his desire to one day coach Nick Kyrgios with the tennis superstar adamant he can help the Australian clinch multiple Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic, 35, denied 27-year-old Kyrgios the Wimbledon championship last year after beating the fan favorite in four sets in the final.
The pair once had a frosty relationship, embroiled in a war of words for years, but that feud has thawed and they are now good friends and took part in an exhibition match at the Australian Open.
And after the world number 1 took an opening victory over Luca Van Assche at the Srpska Open on Wednesday, he was asked which of the current crop of tennis stars he would like to coach, and he had only one man on his mind.
“I would really like to coach Nick Kyrgios,” said Djokovic. “He would win five (Grand) Slams with me, but it wouldn’t be cheap!”
Novak Djokovic (left) has revealed he wants to coach his good friend Nick Kyrgios (right)
The pair faced each other at Wimbledon last year, where Kyrgios was denied a grand slam
Kyrgios is a player notorious for his wild behavior on and off the court, which has often hampered his incredible natural talent, but Djokovic is clearly backing himself to help his friend channel his mentality.
Kyrgios took to Instagram and replied to the Serb, “Hahahah…let’s have a nice dinner and a drink instead!”
Kyrgios has not appeared in court for a professional match in 2023 as the Australian continues to struggle with a knee injury. He pulled out of the first major of the year in January and had to undergo surgery.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper is aiming for a comeback at the French Open at the end of May, although that timeline remains unclear.
After beating Kyrgios last year in SW19, Djokovic said, ‘Nick, you’ll be back. Not only at Wimbledon, but also in [Grand Slam] finals.
Djokovic insists that the Australian can win five grand slam titles with his help
“I know it’s hard to find words of comfort after a tough loss like this, but you showed why you deserve to be one of the best players in the world.
“I really have a lot of respect for you. I think you are a phenomenal tennis player, a great talent. Everything starts to come together for you.
‘I never thought I’d say so many nice things about you, considering our relationship! Okay, it’s officially a bromance.’