This includes a recent doubles partnership, with Kyrgios playing alongside Djokovic in Brisbane<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n Now Kyrgios, who was forced to miss the US Open<\/a>, has spoken about something he likes about Djokovic<\/a> that he thinks is missing from tennis.<\/p>\n Kyrgios is known for speaking his mind<\/a>, whether that be on court or more frequently these days on social media.<\/p>\n This is something he was asked about when speaking to world number 24 Alexander Bublik<\/a> for his new podcast \u2018Tea with Bublik\u2019.<\/p>\n The Australian responded by suggesting that players are too friendly, and claimed that the sport needs more rivalries.<\/p>\n Kyrgios<\/a> then mentioned Djokovic, praising the Serbian after suggesting that he is not bothered about being liked by everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s great for the sport, I actually think that\u2019s what the sport is missing to be honest,\u201d said Kyrgios. \u201cEveryone loves each other too much and I just don\u2019t think that\u2019s realistic. You know, that\u2019s why I love Novak, because he\u2019s got a lot of following and a lot of people that don\u2019t like him and I think that\u2019s healthy, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to be liked by everyone. <\/p>\n \u201cI actually think the sport right now needs more of that. I think trash talk is completely healthy, you know it\u2019s competitive. Some of these guys aren\u2019t even my friend, like I don\u2019t really care. <\/p>\n \u201cLike you [Bublik] for instance when you\u2019re playing I watch it and I genuinely want you to do well, like because I like you as a tennis player and I think you\u2019re comfortable in your own skin. But, half these guys I don\u2019t care, like it\u2019s all a journey and I just do it for a bit of a show and ultimately do you think I put more eyes on the sport?\u201d<\/p>\n Bublik is also known for not being shy from saying what he thinks, but the Kazakhstani questioned Kyrgios on why he feels this way.<\/p>\n Bublik: I guess that\u2019s not what I asked you to be honest. I think so, yes of course. But I guess of course if you\u2019re the only one that spits in the umpire\u2019s face, you know, good or bad it\u2019s for them to decide.<\/p>\n Kyrgios: But they gave me the power though. Like you shouldn\u2019t blame me, you should blame the tennis world because they gave me this position. I\u2019m just having fun. Like I\u2019m in my bed half the time just\u2026<\/p>\n Bublik: So you just don\u2019t care?<\/p>\n Kyrgios: Yeah\u2026the tennis world just goes crazy about it.<\/p>\n Bublik: What about the personal relationship with the people you insulted or?<\/p>\n Kyrgios: I don\u2019t have a personal relationship, I think it\u2019s healthy. You think you have to have a good relationship with everyone?<\/p>\n Why did Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic once not like each other?<\/p>\n Although Kyrgios appears to have admiration towards Djokovic, their relationship has not always been friendly.<\/p>\n Their relationship became particularly strained in 2019, when Kyrgios appeared on the No Challenges Remaining podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this podcast appearance, Kyrgios said he could not stand Djokovic and claimed he could never become the greatest player of all time.<\/p>\n \u201cI just feel like he (Djokovic) has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked,\u201d Kyrgios said at the time. \u201cHe just wants to be like Roger (Federer). For me personally \u2014 I don\u2019t care right now, I\u2019ve come this far \u2014 I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can\u2019t stand him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis whole celebration thing (blowing kisses to the crowd) that he does after matches, it\u2019s like so cringeworthy.<\/p>\n \u201c(But) we\u2019re talking about a guy who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me.<\/p>\n \u201cSimply because, I\u2019ve played him twice and like, I\u2019m sorry, but if you can\u2019t beat me, you\u2019re not the greatest of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he has changed his mind since then, with Kyrgios recently calling Djokovic the greatest of all time<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2232658027-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Mark Metcalfe\/Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios explains why he likes to trash talk as he makes Novak Djokovic point<\/p>\n