It could solely be an exhibition match, however a sell-out crowd in opposition to one of many sport’s greatest has bought Nick Kyrgios slightly on edge.
Canberra’s king of the court docket provided a couple of nervous chuckles earlier than the match in opposition to part-time pal, part-time foe Novak Djokovic forward of their pre-Australian Open observe.
Such is the rivalry that the pleasant at Rod Laver Area is being broadcast on 9 and world wide.
“I am not gonna lie, I am nervous standing again out right here,” mentioned Kyrgios.
“A child from Canberra, rising up, and to promote out this area in 58 minutes with among the best gamers on the planet, it is superb.
“It is a very particular second for me so hopefully we are able to placed on a present for you guys.
“I do know that the previous couple of years in Melbourne particularly it has been a battle, so let’s simply have as a lot sport as we are able to and have some enjoyable.”
There’s been a bit mentioned of the pair and their health too.
Djokovic is nursing a sore hamstring whereas Kyrgios has suffered ankle points that noticed him pull out of the Adelaide Worldwide.
Requested about his ankle, Kyrgios provided little.
“I am not going to offer him any perception into how my physique’s feeling,” he laughed.
“I am coming at him sizzling tonight. He performs much more tennis than I do, so I do know he has to handle his physique slightly bit in a different way.
“Let’s simply have some enjoyable and hopefully we pull up alright tonight.”
“I want some payback from Wimbledon,” he added. “I am not gonna lie. I have not slept since.”
It marks the primary formal look for Djokovic on a Melbourne court docket since 2021 after he was banned from the 2022 version as a consequence of his vaccination stance.
“I really feel slightly bit emotional proper now, to be sincere,” mentioned Djokovic.
“I used to be actually trying ahead to coming again to this court docket. So thanks all for popping out tonight for a fantastic trigger. I am certain that we will have a number of enjoyable. Some nice tennis.”
