‘He would win five Grand Slams – if I coached him!’ Djokovic’s joke – and Kyrgios’s reaction

What a pairing this would be – player Kyrgios, coach Djokovic

Tennis – Australian Open – Exhibition Match – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 13, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Australia’s Nick Kyrgios pose for photograph after the exhibition match (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

April 20, 2023

The bromance continues. Novak Djokovic was asked which player he would like to coach – and he picked the man he beat in last year’s Wimbledon final.

“I would love to coach Nick Kyrgios,” replied the world No 1.

“He would win five Slams with me, but it would not come cheap.”

It seems that Kyrgios – who famously has opted to work without a coaching set-up in recent months – took it in good spirit but won’t be taking up the offer.

“Hahahah……instead let’s go have a nice dinner and some drinks,” Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram Stories.

The start of Djokovic and Kyrgios’s bromance

The two had discussed going for dinner and drinks following the Wimbledon final – with all expenses paid by the winner – although the Australian had also suggested “[going] nuts in a club” as well.

2022 marked a sea-change in the pair’s relationship, which had previously been characterised by a series of barbs. Kyrgios acknowledged during Wimbledon that he had increased respect for anyone who won a Grand Slam, while Djokovic paid tribute to his opponent: “I think you are a phenomenal tennis player and athlete and amazing talent.

“You’ve been hearing all of that for many years but now you know everything is starting to come together for you. I’m sure we’re gonna see much of you in the later stages of Grand Slams.

“I never thought I’m going to say so many nice things about you considering the relationship. It’s officially a bromance.”

They also played an exhibition match ahead of 2023’s Australian Open.