Nick Kyrgios delivers fiery message as Novak Djokovic beats Jannik Sinner in Australia

Follow us on Google Discover

Novak Djokovic is a Grand Slam finalist once again.

On one of the greatest days in Australian Open history, Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Where does that performance rank out of Novak Djokovic’s best of all time?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

In the final, he’ll play Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev in a five-hour epic earlier on Friday.

While many expected Alcaraz to beat Zverev, few backed Djokovic to knock out the two-time defending champion.

Reacting to Djokovic’s upset win, Nick Kyrgios posted the following message on social media.

Nick Kyrgios calls for an ‘apology’ as Novak Djokovic beats Jannik Sinner

The ever-controversial Aussie shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s win on his Instagram story.

“Your apology should be as loud as your disrespect was,” said Kyrgios.

Kyrgios and Djokovic have grown close over recent years, and even played doubles together at the 2025 Brisbane International.

Their relationship improved after the 2022 Australian Open, when Kyrgios publicly defended Djokovic when the Serb was kicked out of the country.

While Kyrgios gets along well with Djokovic, the same can’t be said for him and Sinner.

The Aussie repeatedly questioned Sinner in 2024 and 2025 about the actions that led to his three-month tennis suspension.

Adding fuel to the fire, Kyrgios said this about Sinner ahead of last year’s Australian Open.

“Let’s be honest, I just want to go out there, and I really want to play Sinner,” he said on the Nothing Major podcast.

“If I played him in the Australian Open, I would just get every single person in the crowd to get on him. I would just turn it into an absolute riot.

“If I draw Sinner in the Australian Open third round, everyone will watch because it’s contrasting personalities.

“We don’t like each other, and I think it’s healthy in sport.”

For the most part, Sinner has kept quiet about the drama with Kyrgios, but earlier this year, he did suggest he wasn’t a big fan of the 2022 Wimbledon finalist.

During an episode of ‘Pod Laver Arena’, the hosts showed Sinner a side-by-side of Kyrgios and the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.

The Italian was asked which of the pair he would A) Play doubles with, and B) ‘Hang out’ with.

“Well, playing tennis, definitely with Nick, I don’t want to lose,” said Sinner.

“But to hang out with, honestly, I don’t know…

“Why do you ask me this question?”

There’s clearly no love lost between the pair.

Kyrgios may have been glad to see Djokovic take down Sinner in the semifinals, but it’s unclear who he is backing to win the title.

Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz – Who is the favorite?

The simple answer? Alcaraz.

He’s the world number one and happens to be 16 years younger than Djokovic.

But when looking closer at the numbers, it doesn’t look nearly as one-sided.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record

Djokovic actually leads their head-to-head 5-4, and beat Alcaraz in their sole previous meeting at the Australian Open.

In the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in four sets.

Whether he can repeat the feat in 2026, with a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on the line, is another story.

Djokovic will play Alcaraz in the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final on Sunday, February 1.