Once again, Novak Djokovic has sat down with Nick Kyrgios to have a conversation about the sport to which they have given their lives.
An unlikely bond, the two have formed one of tennis’ most hilarious bromances in recent years, with the Serbian actually opening up about the exact moment which sparked their newfound goodwill.
And now, whilst combing through his life and career with the 29-year-old who is seeking to make his own return to play after a longstanding injury, they touched on one key topic: Wimbledon.
Having lost the 2022 final to Djokovic, this was the closest Kyrgios ever came to claiming the ultimate prize in tennis.
Fortunately, the former has some advice on how he can still achieve that feat.
Novak Djokovic gives Nick Kyrgios a key piece of advice
Speaking on Hana Kuma’s Good Trouble, the pair joked about the historic match on a few occasions, with Kyrgios likely hiding very real frustrations behind that missed opportunity.
After all, it cannot be forgotten that he found himself a set up, but would lose the next three in a row to fall to defeat.
Djokovic did seem almost apologetic though, and remains confident that the Australian can still hit those heights once again.
In fact, he noted: ‘You’ll get there. You promised me something in the hallway there… I did offer you, you didn’t promise but the offer still stands.
‘You get on my six-month routine, daily programme, and you’ll win Wimbledon.’
Kyrgios was rather upfront with his reply: ‘No chance. I’m not living like that.’
Nick Kyrgios proves why he has not won a singles Grand Slam
As painful as it may be to admit, this lack of dedication compared to the likes of Djokovic is why Kyrgios has not won the elite titles in tennis.
And admittedly, that is no slight on his character.
Few could ever live up to the impossible standards set by the likes of the Serbian, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, and whilst the 29-year-old has enjoyed some impressive victories over all three, his lack of consistency always let him down.
He is not the only man to have been thwarted by this looming and legendary presence, but with the unwavering talent that the Australian had and still does possess, the tools were in place for him to succeed.
Hopefully, he can return from injury to prove everyone wrong, but this lack of supreme dedication explains why he never quite made the step up to win the sport’s greatest achievements.
Perhaps, should he recapture his form from before his huge setback, he might be able to fill the current power vacuum in men’s tennis and at least grab one elite title before his career comes to a close.
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