Novak Djokovic isn't interested in waging a verbal rally with Nick Kyrios—and asserts the Aussie's critical comments aren't causing any sleepless nights.
Last month, Kyrgios mocked Djokovic's heart-sharing victory celebration as "very cringe-worthy" and ripped the Serbian's "sick obsession of wanting to be liked."
Watch: Mac's Message for Kyrgios
Training for Wimbledon at Janko Tipsarevic's Academy in his native Belgrade, the world No. 1 told the Serbian media he's puzzled by Kyrgios' criticism, but respects the enigmatic Aussie and does not consider him a "bad guy."
"What can I say to Nick Kyrgios," Djokovic said in comments published by Sasha Ozmo of Sportsklub.rs. "I really think he's not really a bad guy. I do not know why he declares all these things, whether he wants to draw attention or some motive is different.
"He obviously wants to be honest, open, transparent, that is part of his character. I respect him, respect anyone, what can I do? I do not have a problem with that, he can speak whatever he wants. Does it show respect as most others point out? No. It's his own way of communication and relationships, but I really do not think he's a bad guy."
Last month, Kyrgios gave a rare, even-more-candid-than-usual interview to Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times for Rothenberg’s tennis podcast, “No Challenges Remaining,” and the Aussie did not hesitate to speak his mind about the game’s top players
“I just feel like he has a sick obsession of wanting to be liked,” Kyrgios said of Djokovic. “For me personally I feel like he just wants to be liked so much I just can’t stand him. Like this whole celebration thing that he does after the match it’s like so cringe-worthy, very cringe-worthy.”
Kyrgios then switched course, showing a bit of deference before he got back to ripping the Serb. “He’s a champion of the sport, one of the greatest we will ever see. Honestly I think he will get the Grand Slam count—I think he will overpass Federer.”
Kyrgios owns a 2-0 lifetime edge against Djokovic but both of those victories came during a period in 2017 when the Serb was a little bit lost, both mentally and physically. Nevertheless, the victories were used as a measuring stick by Kyrgios as he trucked through the conversation at a rapid clip.
“No matter how many Grand Slam wins he will never be the greatest for me," he said. "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.
“He always says what he feels like he needs to say, never speaks his opinion—I don’t know. If I play him and I beat him—I’m doing his celebration in front of him. That would be hilarious, right?”
Reigning Wimbledon champion Djokovic revealed he offered helped to Kyrgios at the US Open years ago because the Aussie's public struggles reminded him a bit of his own issues as a rising young player.
"I had the opportunity to meet him before he started off the swarm of public criticism on my account," Djokovic said. "(I was) offering help, when everyone criticized him for behavior, in the sense that he could contact me if he needs anything because myself at the beginning of my career I suffered a lot of criticism at my own expense and went through similar situations. I do not know, from that moment on, something has changed, that's it."
Though Kyrgios has been publicly critical, ATP Player Council President Djokovic said he's never discussed his issues privately with the world No. 1.
Still, Djokovic said Kyrgios' criticism is "not something that keeps me awake at night."
"No, absolutely not, everything is at the level of communication through the public," Djokovic said when asked if the pair had spoken privately. "I really tried my life to respect everyone and I did not have anyone like that ...
"Let's say the problem, though, it's not something that keeps me awake at night, as the English say."
Photo credit: AFP