Nick Kyrgios says Australia has ‘created a monster’ in Novak Djokovic: ‘Soak it all in… a full-circle occasion’
Australian Open champion and grand slam title equal-record holder Novak Djokovic has an opportunity to assert himself as the GOAT of tennis and Aussie star Nick Kyrgios reckons the Federal Government might be what inspires it.
When the Serbian hoisted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup aloft on Rod Laver Arena last night, he drew equal with Rafael Nadal on 22 career grand slams – the most in history.
With the Spanish champion battling age and injury and Roger Federer [20 career grand slams] now retired, Djokovic has a golden opportunity to streak ahead.
Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the Australian Open men’s singles final against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at Melbourne Park on Sunday
Kyrgios, the man Djokovic dispatched to claim the 2022 Wimbledon trophy, sat out the 2023 Australian Open through injury.
But he posted on Twitter that the decision to kick the Serbian champion out of the country prior to the 2022 tournament because of his vaccination status had awakened the sleeping giant.
‘Haha I told you. We created a monster. Well done @DjokerNole …. Sat on my couch and enjoyed the entire show. Soak it all in,’ he posted.
Djokovic and Kyrgios of Australia pose for a photo following their Arena Showdown charity match ahead of the 2023 Australian Open
They had their differences in the past, but all wounds were healed at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships when Kyrgios and Djokovic met in the final
Kyrgios then went on to say that Djokovic will ultimately finish on a staggering number of grand slam wins to assert himself as the undisputed GOAT.
‘He will get to 28 slams. Easy,’ Kyrgios posted.
His comments opened up a Pandora’s Box, with fans of Rafa and Federer fuming that Djokovic could be considered greater than them.
‘He could win 100 Grand Slams and would never be the standard of wonderful people that Rafa & Roger are. That’s what really matters,’ one fan replied.
‘His other achievement is being the only tennis player who’s more unlikeable than you,’ another posted in a savage shot at Kyrgios.
Djokovic has a record 10 Australian Open titles and has equaled Nadal on 22 grand slam trophies and still has plenty of petrol left in the tank to claim more
Federer was the people’s champion and is regarded by many as the GOAT because of his tennis ability and also his role as a likeable ambassador for the sport
Nadal has forged an incredible career with 22 grand slams including his heroic come-from-behind win at the Australian Open in 2022, however has struggled with injury in recent times
Others labelled Djokovic the Michael Jordan of tennis, winning record championships during a weak era.
However this is objectively incorrect.
Of his 22 grand slam titles, 13 were against Federer, Nadal or British champion Andy Murray.
His other scalps include highly respected players like Juan Martin Del Potro, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem and Kyrgios himself.
Alcaraz has been dubbed the next Nadal and claimed the US Open as a teenager in 2022. He will lead a crop of talented young players vying to stop Djokovic in grand slam events
Holger Rune defeated the defending champion Djokovic in the Paris Masters final last year to announce himself as another name to watch in the coming years
With Federer retired and Nadal’s career on the ropes, Djokovic now has clean air to claim a raft of grand slam titles as the next generation like Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud and Holger Rune develop their games.
‘If he maintains this level for another 3-4 years, he will easily surpass 30. Great chance at the calendar slam this year IMO,’ one fan posted.
‘Definitely a possibility he might get to 25 this year alone,’ added another.
By beating Stefanos Tsitsipas last night, Djokovic became the all-time Australian Open leader with 10 titles to his name.
He will attempt to take that record at Wimbledon this year as well, surpassing Federer’s seven titles at The Championships.
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