Djokovic in praise: "Kyrgios is close to making a comeback. He's important for tennis".
Nick Kyrgios is at Wimbledon to commentate on the tournament for television. The Australian is also taking advantage of the opportunity to test himself on the courts with a view to a future return to competition (he has been absent since October 2022 due to a wrist injury). He trained with Novak Djokovic on Thursday. The Serb was asked about the subject in a press conference.
Novak Djokovic: "I can tell you that a few days ago, when we trained together, he hit a very good serve and said 'oh, I could come back for the US Open'. I don't know if he was joking or not, but let me tell you, he's hitting the ball better than ever. I mean, he's so talented.
He's so good at tennis. And on serve, I think he said the wrist was bothering him especially on serve, but he's been gradually increasing the load, the intensity and the speed. He doesn't go as far as serving at full speed or full power, but he's getting close.
He's very positive. It's nice to see him full of life, full of energy. He's really happy to be here at Wimbledon, enjoying our training sessions and commentating (for TV).
He's an extremely important guy for our sport. I think he brings in new fans. He's doing a great job staying in tennis (despite his injury) with his podcast and everything else he does. By interviewing Mike Tyson and other very interesting personalities from different sectors.
Yes, it's a bit of a bromance we've had over the last few years, given that before we didn't like each other at all for many years. But now we get on very well. He's also been very kind to my children. He played with them.
I think he'll be back soon, but it's hard to say. Because it's one thing to train for an hour or two, but it's completely different when you're on the Tour, competing in a tournament where you have to come back every day, maybe for four, five or six days in a row.
I guess he won't know how well his wrist is responding until he plays a tournament either. So, yes, I hope he can come back personally. And I think everyone in tennis hopes he comes back quickly because we really need him on Tour."
Wimbledon 
When tennis stars change courts: from Noah the singer to Safin the deputy, another match – the battle of reinvention 
As a laboratory for tomorrow’s tennis, does the Next Gen Masters have a future? 
Tennis: the little-known truths about the offseason, between rest, stress and physical survival 
What if tennis lost its soul? The case of robotized officiating, between tradition and a dehumanized modernity 
