Kyrgios' surprise take on rival's Australian Open return

A small nether a twelvemonth aft Novak Djokovic was banned from entering Australia owed to his vaccine stance, the Serbian is acceptable to play successful the country's biggest tennis tournament.

Without him, Nick Kyrgios says the Australian Open wouldn't beryllium overmuch of a competition.

Djokovic's inclusion successful the tourney comes after his three-year prohibition was lifted and the vaccine mandate was removed.

Watch Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek successful the World Tennis League from December 20-25. Every lucifer streaming ad-free, unrecorded and exclusive connected Stan Sport

Kyrgios, who went down to Daniil Medvedev successful the 2nd circular of the 2022 tournament, was a protagonist of Djokovic successful the aftermath of his ban.

Despite their aggravated rivalry, the duo formed a "bromance" of sorts that peaked erstwhile they faced each different successful the Wimbledon last this year.

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios airs earlier the last astatine Wimbledon. (Simon Bruty via Getty Images)

Now, conscionable nether a period retired from the 2023 Australian Open, the Canberran has thrown different question of enactment down the erstwhile satellite No.1.

"I deliberation Novak needs to beryllium playing astatine each costs," Kyrgios told AFP, speaking astatine the World Tennis League successful Dubai.

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"He's 1 of the top of each clip and arsenic agelong arsenic he's going to beryllium playing and hanging around, we request him astatine these tournaments."

Djokovic's stance connected vaccination ultimately ruled him retired of the US Open, opening the doorway for teen Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to triumph and subsequently go the world's highest ranked male.

Thanasi Kokkinakis (left) and Nick Kyrgios won their archetypal large rubric astatine the 2022 Australian Open. (Hu Jingchen/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Alcaraz, who volition play successful the forthcoming Australian Open, is the youngest satellite No.1 successful ATP history.

Despite Djokovic's slump, Kyrgios suggested defeating him is inactive 1 of the toughest tasks successful satellite tennis and adds value to winning the biggest expansive slams.

"I think, arsenic a competitor, I privation to spot him there," said Kyrgios of Djokovic.

"And if I triumph a tourney — if you don't spell done Novak, past you benignant of cognize the tourney isn't truly a tournament."

Djokovic overcomes Kyrgios successful Wimbledon finale

The long-awaited grudge lucifer betwixt Kyrgios and Djokovic was acceptable to play retired astatine the World Tennis League.

However, the 35-year-old said helium was not feeling acceptable capable to instrumentality to the tribunal and subsequently pulled out.

Kyrgios said helium was keen to "have immoderate fun" with Djokovic successful their archetypal gathering since Wimbledon.

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