Novak Djokovic Says He 'Doesn't Have Much Respect' For Nick Kyrgios

The world's number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has taken aim at Australia's Nick Kyrgios for his off-court antics.

While 25-year-old Kyrgios can hold his own against some of the globe's best players, he has been known to attract headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Djokovic believes the younger player's behaviour makes people lose respect for him.

Speaking ahead of the Australian Open, which begins today (8 February), Novak said: "I think he's good for the sport. Obviously he's someone that is different. 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.

"Off the court, I don't have much respect for him, to be honest. 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."

This comes after Kyrgios slammed the world number one for issuing a list of demands while in hotel quarantine.

The Serbian star asked for fitness and training material to be given to all players' rooms; for decent food for elite athletes; for the days of isolation to be reduced; for permission to visit a coach or physical trainer, and to be on the same floor as those people; and to move some players to private houses with tennis courts.

The list of demands went down like a lead balloon and Kyrgios called Djokovic a 'tool' for asking for such things.

The Aussie also rebuffed claims that Novak could become the GOAT of tennis.

He recently reposted comments he made on the No Challenges Remaining podcast in 2019 to his social media.

Kyrgios said at the time: "No matter how many grand slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me.

"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."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie