© Getty Images Sport – Daniel Pockett
Nick Kyrgios’ big announcement has come as the Australian tennis star is set to interview Novak Djokovic for his podcast next week and also hinted that his long-awaited return to tennis may be coming soon.
At the start of 2024, it was announced that Kyrgios was joining forces with Naomi Osaka’s production company Hana Kuma to launch his own podcast. So far, Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios has released five episodes, featuring a star lineup of guests.
After hosting the likes such as celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, actor Rainn Wilson, author Jay Shetty, entrepreneur and businessman Gary Vaynerchuk, Kyrgios is set to sit down with a tennis player for the first time on his podcast. Considering that it’s record 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, hard to say that there was a better first tennis guest for Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios.
Also, Kyrgios seems to be getting closer to finally playing again after having surgeries on his knee and wrist. Since the start of 2023, Kyrgios appeared in only one tournament – he played one match in Stuttgart last June.
On Thursday, Kyrgios announced in a post on X that there would be a big announcement coming on Friday.
“Next guest on Good Trouble – Novak Djokovic. Tennis footage – Tuesday next week! BACK ON COURT!” Kyrgios wrote on X.
Next guest on Good Trouble – Novak Djokovic
Tennis footage – Tuesday next week! BACK ON COURT!— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 22, 2024
Kyrgios conducted an on-court interview with Djokovic at the Australian Open
Kyrgios may not have played at this year’s Australian Open but he was still very busy as he was doing commentary for ESPN and Eurosport. Also, the 28-year-old Australian got a chance to conduct an on-court interview as an interviewer for the first time.
At one point during his Australian Open quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz, Djokovic turned to Kyrgios – who was commentating on the match – and blew a kiss his way. After sealing a 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 win over Fritz, Kyrgios showed up on the court to interview the world No. 1.
The interview started with Kyrgios admitting to Djokovic that he never thought he would be doing an on-court interview with him before asking the Serb about his performance and the win over Fritz.
“Yeah, I need a mic … thanks, man. Good to see you, man. Great to see you. You’re looking good in that booth, but looking better here. Hopefully with a racquet also, soon. Yeah! We miss Nick! Come on, guys! Show him some love… Yeah what was the question about? Oh yeah, oh man…
“I suffered a lot first couple of sets also due to his high-quality tennis. He was serving well, he was staying close to the line, it was really kind of suffocating me from back of the court. Most of the rallies I was on my back foot. It was difficult to find the right timing. It was extreme hot while the sun was still out there. Physically very draining, emotionally as well.
“Huge round of applause for Fritz for a great performance today and also this tournament … He’s played amazing tennis.”
Kyrgios asked Djokovic about ‘a magic tree’ that could help him heal
After undergoing knee surgery in 2023 January, Kyrgios started his comeback in June but he appeared in just one tournament and one match before sustaining a wrist injury and going under the knife again.
During the interview, Kyrgios cheekily asked Djokovic about the tree he hugs in the Royal Botanical Gardens and asked the world No. 1 if he could show him it because he needs to get healthy and figure out a way to beat him.
“OK, I will show you the tree. But you can’t tell anyone. It is a big secret. So what you’ve got to do is take off your shoes, climb the tree (to) the highest point and hang upside-down on one of the highest branches for 33 minutes and three seconds … And you’re going to win a slam,” Djokovic answered.
In the last several months, there were rumors of Kyrgios potentially never playing again. But the 2022 Wimbledon finalist shut down those rumors and told his concerned fanbase last year that he would be back for more success.
“To my millions of fans out there, I guess we just have to be patient. Trust me, I still have some fire left in the tank, my body just needs time to recover and get back,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram Story in August.
“I’m still as motivated as ever, in the gym, treatment, recovery. Everything off court is doing great. I am eyeing to come back and have a season like my last again.”
It remains to be seen if Kyrgios will return during the clay season or make his comeback during the grass season, as originally expected.
