Djokovic pleased to see Kyrgios back at Miami Open

Novak Djokovic is glad to see Nick Kyrgios back in action at the 2025 Miami Open, where the Australian broke a long-running drought earlier this week.

Kyrgios defeated America’s Mackenzie McDonald in three sets on Wednesday morning (AEDT), gaining his first win on the ATP Tour in 896 days.

“I saw him today in the locker room,” Djokovic said on Friday.

“I congratulated him, I was glad for him because he’s had injuries and he was absent from the tour, we know all the struggles.

“I think it’s his first win in a couple of years, so it’s great to see him back and playing well.

“I don’t think that’s ever an issue, the quality of tennis — he has it in his hands.

“It’s just a matter of him being healthy, staying healthy and injury-free.”

Tennis betting sites have Kyrgios as a $3 underdog heading into his second-round clash against No.22 seed Karen Khachanov.

Djokovic also revealed that earlier in the season, he tried to help Kyrgios with his health.

“I tried, when we played doubles in Brisbane earlier this year, draw him into some of my warm-up, cool-down routines,” he said.

“Every time he would see me before the match — before we would actually go to warm up on court for the match — I’d spend, like, an hour in the gym, do my own thing and warm up every muscle in my body.

“I would just try to chase him down and bring him over.

“He would be running away from me, commenting, you know, that’s not for him.

“That’s maybe part of the reason why he’s been injured so much. I really do wish that he stays injury-free.”

Djokovic has had his own issues with injury, withdrawing from the 2025 Australian Open after one set in the semi-finals.

Top bookmakers still believe he is a strong chance in Miami, however, placing him on the second line of outright betting alongside Alexander Zverev ($5.50).

Kyrgios is far less favoured, paying a long $151 at BetOnline to win the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

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