![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Novak-Djokovic-Nick-Kyrgios.jpeg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Novak-Djokovic-Nick-Kyrgios.jpeg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: Imago
Novak Djokovic started off his Australian Open stint with a bang. The world number 1 shut down the 18-year-old Dino Prižmić with a stellar comeback after dropping the second set. The youngster played well, but his skills were not enough to overcome the Serbinator. Djokovic showed great skills in the match and even went on to pull out some new techniques.
Watching him make the court his own, Nick Kyrgios couldn’t help but ask him where he developed the new abilities. The Djoker in response, subtly showered his praise on Kyrgios as he gave a down-to-earth response to the player.
Novak Djokovic is just as quick-witted in real life as he is in a court
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In his match against Prižmić, Djokovic lost the second set, which caused much surprise. However, he returned to form in the third set and shut down the 18-year-old. Djokovic showed new skills in the game, especially during a point in the third set. A shot near the net forced him to rush upwards, and he returned a volley, which then pushed Prižmić up. Djokovic quickly hit another backhand volley cross-court and ended the point.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-11-25T183819Z_854809213_UP1EJBP1FRUYL_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-DAVISCUP.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
Kyrgios, who was commenting on his match, said, “He’s just getting better. When everyone else is getting tired, he’s just getting better“. The Aussie player also shared a video of the point on his Instagram story with the caption, “@djokernole, where did you get these hands?“. Djokovic decided to show his humble side and quipped, “I watched some of your videos and picked it up 😉💪“.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion brought out his Djoker side to show a joke about learning tricks from Kyrgios. While this banter garnered him a lot of praise from fans, the Serbian was also recently entangled in a controversy when one of his responses during a press conference didn’t go down well with many.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans bash Djokovic for arrogant response
As the defending champion of the Australian Open, Djokovic sat down for a pre-tournament conference with the press. When asked who he saw as his biggest threat, the world number 1 quickly sidelined other players. He said, “Myself always first, & then of course all the other best players in the world“. Tennis fans were livid after his statement.
Some fans said that he could afford to be overconfident because he was playing a qualifier. One fan recalled a similar comment from Djokovic during Wimbledon and how he then went on to lose. Another fan said that he needs to be humbled because he has become extremely arrogant.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In the last few days, we have seen two sides of the world number 1. While his words have made him the center of fan praise, will his actions on the court do the same? We’ll have to wait to find out!
Watch This Story – Distressing Serena Williams Reality Leaves Gaping Void That’s Nearly Impossible to Fill for Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek