I would love to coach Nick Kyrgios – Novak Djokovic

• Novak Djokovic has expressed his desire to coach fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios
• Djokovic denied the Aussie his first grand slam victory in the Wimbledon finals
• Kyrgios invited him for dinner

World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has expressed his desire to coach fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios into winning a grand slam.

The duo who once had a salty relationship characterized by the exchange of words buried the hatchet in the lead-up to 2022 Wimbledon.

Djokovic denied the Aussie his first grand slam victory in the Wimbledon finals after Rafael Nadal withdrew following abdominal pain.

Following victory in the opening match of the Srpska Open against Luca Van Assche, on Wednesday, Djokovic said that he would love to coach Kyrgios.

“I would love to coach Nick Kyrgios. He would win five (Grand) Slams with me, but it would not come cheap!” Daily Mail Sports quotes him.

In a rejoinder on Instagram, Kyrgios wrote: “Hahahah… instead let’s go have a nice dinner and some drinks!”

Although Kyrgios has a wild reputation due to his erratic behaviour on and off the court, which has frequently hampered his amazing natural skill, Djokovic tries to change himself into bringing out his best.

Kyrgios is currently recovering from knee surgery which has locked him out of playing tennis since the 2023 season started.

Nick Kyrgios in Canberra Court. Photo/The New York Times

He even withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open which Djokovic won. Although the exact date of his return is still unknown, the 27-year-old has set his sights on the French Open at the end of May.

Last year, after beating Kyrgios in SW19, Djokovic told him that they would play some more and it happened at Wimbledon.

Kicking off their social media bromance, Djokovic described Kyrgios as a brilliant player but lacked the words to console him over his loss at SW19.

“I really respect you a lot. I think you are a phenomenal tennis player, an amazing talent. Everything is starting to come together for you. I never thought I would say so many nice things about you, considering our relationship! Okay, it’s officially a bromance,” he stated post-match.

Meanwhile, Djokovic recently admitted that his right elbow is not in the best medical condition.

The world No.1 who previously had surgery on this elbow in 2018, raised concerns about his fitness during a shocking loss to Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo last week and wore strapping on his elbow.

Novak Djokovic wins 2023 Australian Open. Photo/Herald Sun

After that match, Djokovic declined to address the subject, but he spoke candidly during a press conference this week before his opening round at the Srpska Open in Bosnia. The Serbian tennis star told the press at Banja Luka that his elbow isn’t in the best shape but he still can play.

“The elbow is not in an ideal condition, but let’s say it’s good enough. I hope it will be fully ready for the first match,” he said.

Djokovic has four more weeks to get into top for ahead of the French Open where he will face his all-time rival Rafael Nadal who is also nursing a hip injury.

Nadal sustained the injury at the Australian Open making this year’s Roland Garros event the most competitive in 20 years.