Kyrgios: It’s amazing how we went from hating each other to being friends; I still dislike Nadal.

Is it possible for two rivals to become friends? Many would say it’s impossible, but Kyrgios and Djokovic are trying to prove otherwise. Once, their relationship was filled with sharp words and cold glances, but it has gradually transformed into one of the most surprising friendships on the tour. Now, this Australian player is finally sharing the whole story.

At the Brisbane International, this friendship took center stage—Djokovic and Kyrgios teamed up for doubles. Although they were eliminated in the second round, the chemistry between them was evident. Even in defeat, seeing them stand on the same side of the court speaks volumes about how far they’ve come.

It’s worth noting that back in 2019, Kyrgios did not have this attitude towards Djokovic. In a podcast, he sharply mocked Djokovic, saying, “He’s obsessed with being liked. He just wants to be like Roger (Federer).” This wasn’t the only time he criticized Djokovic; in 2021, he called Djokovic a “tool,” which prompted Djokovic to respond, “Honestly, I don’t respect him much off the court.”

However, everything changed later. In an interview with Mouratoglou, Kyrgios admitted, “We used to hate each other, or rather, we didn’t like each other. Then, during the COVID pandemic and later at Wimbledon finals, it was quite strange for me. I never thought that someone like me, who is so ‘normal,’ could become friends with one of the greatest players of all time.”

The former world number 13 continued, “Sometimes he messages me asking, ‘How are you?’ and I can’t help but think, ‘Don’t you have anything else to do?’ It’s crazy for me, and it’s gone beyond tennis. When we train together, his kids come along, and I even play with them. It’s important to find a player who genuinely cares about life outside of tennis.”

The turning point in their relationship came with the 2022 incident when Djokovic was deported from Australia. At that time, most of the tennis world chose to remain silent or neutral, but Kyrgios publicly spoke out in support of him. This support was remembered by Djokovic. The 2022 Wimbledon final also became a pivotal moment. Djokovic defeated Kyrgios in four sets, but the post-match speech was more meaningful than the match itself—Djokovic called Kyrgios “a deserving finalist” and “one of the best players in the world.” At that moment, their mutual respect reached new heights.

From publicly blaming each other to now appreciating one another, the evolution of their relationship is remarkable. But if you think Kyrgios has reconciled with all his former rivals, you’re mistaken. When it comes to Nadal, the story is entirely different.

Unlike his friendship with Djokovic, Kyrgios confronts his grievances with Nadal directly. Their feud began at Wimbledon in 2014 when Kyrgios, ranked outside the top 100, shocked the world by defeating Nadal. This was the first time since 1992 that a player ranked so low had beaten the world number one in a Grand Slam, igniting a long-standing rivalry.

From 2014 to 2022, they faced each other nine times. Nadal leads with 6 wins to 3 losses, but most of those victories were hard-fought. Only three matches were relatively easy; the rest were intense battles, with Kyrgios pushing Nadal to his limits nearly every time.

However, this rivalry is not solely based on competitive spirit. In a podcast, Kyrgios did not hide his emotions. The Wimbledon runner-up said, “I can’t stand him. When I see him on or off the court, I feel a strong aversion; I really dislike him. I’m always fired up when I play against him, with a kind of anger inside me. I always want to play my best tennis to show everyone: although I once admired his approach to training, success can also be achieved by enjoying the game and staying relaxed. I’ve never felt that way with Federer or Djokovic.”

Thus, one rivalry has transformed into friendship, while another continues to spark. Although Kyrgios is currently ranked 640th in the ATP rankings, he has secured a spot in the US Open through protected ranking. He is also trying to regain his form through doubles, recently partnering with Monfils in Washington, though they were eliminated in the first round.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)