Nick Kyrgios is hungry to sign off with an Australian Open victory – but another Aussie is waiting in the wings to crash the party amidst claims of a RIFT
- Kyrgios returned from injury in a charity match against Novak Djokovic
- The match was a tune-up ahead of the Australian Open that starts next week
- The Aussie star has his best chance to win a maiden Grand Slam at home
- Another Aussie potentially lies in wait with speculation of a rift between them
Nick Kyrgios has been handed his best chance ever of claiming an Australian Open title, but the polarising Aussie star has admitted that tennis retirement remains on his agenda.
After completing an exhilarating charity exhibition match against Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena on Friday night, the 27-year-old star said: I’d 100 per cent retire if I won one Grand Slam’
If Kyrgios is ever going to win an Australian Open, this year presents his best opportunity to date with no Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal battling ongoing injuries.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Nick Kyrgios of Australia pose for a photo following their Arena Showdown charity match ahead of the 2023 Australian Open
However fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur could halt that charge, with the rising 23-year-old on a collision course to meet both Djokovic and Kyrgios at the Open if he is good enough.
That comes as speculation mounts there is a widening rift between the two that stems from their commitment toward representing their country.
Alex de Minaur is usually able to stay away from the off-court drama; however, the ongoing saga of Nick Kyrgios’ refusal to play for Australia in the Davis Cup has drawn De Minaur into the debate.
Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios in happier days, celebrating winning their quarter final doubles match against Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury of Great Britain at the 2020 ATP Cup
While the two Aussies were best of friends in 2020 during the ATP Cup victory, speculation intensifies that there is now a rift between them caused by Kyrgios refusal to play for Australia
Last year, both de Minaur and the nation’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt admitted that they had unsuccessfully attempted to draw Kyrgios back onto the team.
Although the Australian star planned on competing in the United Cup earlier this month, an ankle injury caused him to withdraw which stirred up further controversy as Hewitt criticised how Kyrgios relayed his status.
Nick Kyrgios will face Roman Safiullin in the first round of next week’s Australian Open. The two players have never met on the tour before. If Kyrgios wins, he could face Holger Rune and Andrey Rublev in the third and fourth rounds.
Novak Djokovic is likely to be waiting for him in the quarterfinals. If Kyrgios reaches the semifinals, his opponent could be Casper Ruud. Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev are expected to reach the finals from the other half of the draw.
However a Wimbledon final re-match against Djokovic is no fait accompli, with fellow Aussie de Minaur on the same side of the draw and heading toward a fourth round showdown with the Serbian.
If ‘Demon’ can claim the biggest scalp of his career, he will set up a tantalising all-Australian quarter final at Rod Laver Arena.
‘I don’t like to look at the draws much, but ultimately the media are always going to look very far ahead … the way I see it; I’ve got to focus on my first-round opponent, then we’ll go from there,’ de Minaur said.
‘It would be [special], for sure, [to play Djokovic]. These are the types of matches I want to be playing, and that’s where you want to be, so I’ll do my best to put myself in that position, and hopefully give myself a good chance to play against the best in the world.’
The world No. 24 has a genuine chance to reach the ATP top 10 with a deep surge into the Australian Open, but his team has been quick to shut down any hype over a potential clash with Kyrgios.
Cameron Norrie of Great Britain shakes hands with Alex de Minaur of Australia after winning their group D match during day one of the 2023 United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena
There have been rumours of conflict between Kyrgios and members of Australia’s Davis Cup side – a side Kyrgios again opted out of in 2022 when Australia made the final against Canada.
De Minaur admitted the two had not spoken ahead of the Australian Open and a media advisor shut down Kyrgios questions at a recent media call.
But while not referencing Kyrgios directly, de Minaur said he was hungry to crack into the top 10 – which would likely mean having to go through Kyrgios to achieve it.
‘That (top 10) is ultimately the goal. I’m not satisfied where I am right now,’ he said.
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