By Alberto Amalfi
Talk is cheap, but words carry consequences.
Nick Kyrgios taunted Novak Djokovic branding him "a tool" after the eight-time Australian Open champion submitted suggestions to Tennis Australia on behalf of players in quarantine.
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Asked his his response to the outspoken Aussie, the world No. 1 praised Kyrgios' game and pulled no punches expressing his personal feelings: there's no love lost between the pair.
"Off the court, I don't have much respect for him, to be honest," Djokovic told the media in his Australian Open presser. "That's where I'll close it.
"I really don't have any further comments for him, his own comments for me or anything else he's trying to do."
Kyrgios has taken public shots at Djokovic in the past.
Last month, Kyrgios reiterated his assertion Djokovic will "never" be the Greatest Of All Time.
Why does Kyrgios discount Djokovic in the GOAT debate?
Because 17-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic is winless in two career clashes vs. Kyrgios.
"No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, like he will never be the greatest to me," Kyrgios told Melbourne Herald Sun. "Simply because I've played him twice and, I'm sorry, but if you can't beat me, you're not the greatest of all time."
The mercurial Kyrgios has sniped at both Djokovic and 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on occasion, drawing the king of clay's disdain after the Aussie tried drilling the Spaniard with a body blow at Wimbledon.
Some speculate Kyrgios is trying to target the world's top two-ranked players as sparring partners to generate social media buzz and as a psychological card play prior to a rematch with either champion. Kyrgios, who confesses he "can't stand" Djokovic, claims his criticism of the Wimbledon champion isn't a case of taking cheap shots it's a matter of honest criticism and holding "our LeBron James" to a higher standard as an ambassador for the game.
Kyrgios called out the world No. 1 for a "boneheaded decision" to run the charity exhibition Adria Tour last stummer with lax COVID-19 safety protocols, including players and fans largely maskless.
Both Djokovic and Nadal have praised Kyrgios' ability with both champions consistently saying he's good for the game when he's focused and committed to playing rather than going berserk, breaking racquets and racking up fines.
In his response today, Djokovic made it clear he respects Kyrgios' game, recognizes his right to express his views, but does not respect his conduct in some cases.
"I think he's good for the sport. Obviously he's someone that is different," Djokovic said. "He goes about his tennis, he goes about his off court things in his own authentic way. I have respect for him. I have respect for everyone else really because everyone has a right and freedom to choose how they want to express themselves, what they want to do.
"My respect goes to him for the tennis he's playing. I think he's very talented guy. He's got a big game. He has proven that he has a quality to beat any player really in the world in the past."
Photo credit: AP