Nick Kyrgios: 'Novak Djokovic is arguably the GOAT, would love to beat him at..'

After an early exit in Atlanta, Nick Kyrgios will try to embrace a better run in Washington, facing Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round. The Aussie spoke about his game ahead of the first match, saying he is not ready to make compromises at this stage and change his basic tennis philosophy. Nick also mentioned Novak Djokovic, whom he attacked many times, praising Novak as arguably the greatest player of all time and wishing to beat him at the US Open. Djokovic and Kyrgios played twice within a couple of weeks in 2017, with the Aussie scoring triumphs in Acapulco and Indian Wells.

In the Acapulco quarter-final, Kyrgios prevailed 7-6, 7-5 in an hour and 47 minutes, as Djokovic failed to reach the hard-court ATP semi-final for the first time since the ATP Finals 2011! Nick lost 15 points in 12 service games and saved the only break point offered to the Serb. Novak got broken in the second set's closing stages and lost the pivotal points to hit the exit door. A few weeks later, Kyrgios dethroned the five-time Indian Wells champion 6-4, 7-6 in an hour and 51 minutes for his third Masters 1000 semi-final. Nick's first serve was a real enigma for Novak, as the Aussie blasted 14 aces and a similar number of service winners to keep his second serve safe and never face a break point. 

Nick Kyrgios praised Novak Djokovic.

"I mean, I wouldn't say that I'm like sleeping and dreaming about I can not wait to play this guy, get better tomorrow or get more topspin on my forehand. No, I do not desire to have that, which is impossible for tennis fans to believe. It's like, 'How can this person not have any drive to verse someone or win Majors?' That's not what I value. I'm not saying it would not be nice for it to happen. I would love to play against and beat Novak Djokovic at the US Open. He's arguably the greatest of all time. Of course, I want to go out there and have a chance and a crack at him. It would be great to win the US Open.

I'm not going to look back at my career and say, 'Oh, no, I did not win one.' I'm not going to be disappointed if I lose a match. As I said, I do not value wins on a tennis court as much as I value a healthy relationship with my girlfriend or my best friend, things that actually mean something to me. I just take it day by day honestly; I'm that unpredictable. I had a good practice today. I'm trying to manage my knee. Tomorrow I will wake up, try to be positive, and we'll see where it goes. If I think too far ahead, it's too complicated," Nick Kyrgios said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WT0hvS