Nick Kyrgios Sends Message To Novak Djokovic After Adelaide Withdrawal: 'We Should...'

Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 11:15 IST

Nick Kyrgios requests tennis fans to cherish Novak Djokovic as he continues his career, aiming for new achievements despite recent schedule changes.

Novak Djokovic celebrating after winning his 101st career title (AP)

Star Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has said that there is definitely something that Novak Djokovic wants to achieve in his career and hence, he is continuing to play at the highest level, adding that one should cherish the fact that the Serbian star is still in the mix.

Djokovic hasn’t played a tour match since beating Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens final in early November and has since become selective about his schedule.

Aussie showman Kyrgios, who is competing at the Brisbane International this week as he makes his return from a lengthy injury layoff, requested everyone in tennis to appreciate Djokovic while he is still playing.

“We always do this with athletes, especially the ones who are in a whole different conversation [like Djokovic]. Why is he still playing? I don’t know, he is an anomaly. He is different," Kyrgios said while speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“There is obviously something there that he wants to achieve, whether it is another grand slam or something else, but I think we should just cherish the fact that someone that old in our sport is still at the top of it and still gives everything to it," Kyrgios added.

Djokovic indicated last year that he wanted to stay in the sport until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics so he could defend the gold medal he won in Paris.

Djokovic has had to settle for a secondary role since Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took control of the men’s tour.

Djokovic made the semifinals at all four majors last year but couldn’t go further, with his last Grand Slam title coming at the US Open in 2023. He lost in the semis of the 2024 Australian Open to Sinner and had to give a walkover to Zverev last year.

Djokovic’s Adelaide withdrawal came a day after he announced he would cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, a group he co-founded.

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