Nick Kyrgios offers to jump into crowd to help Novak Djokovic at Australian Open - 'I've got your back'

Nick Kyrgios offers to jump into crowd to help Novak Djokovic at Australian Open - 'I've got your back'

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Novak Djokovic wins at the Australian Open

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 17/01/2024

- 14:01

Updated: 17/01/2024

- 14:39

Kyrgios had Djokovic's back during his latest match in Melbourne

Nick Kyrgios offered to jump into the crowd and 'sort out' a fan who heckled Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

The Aussie star was in the commentary box as he continues his recovery from ongoing injury problems.


Djokovic beat home favourite Alexei Popyrin in four sets at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

The world No 1 didn't have it all his own way, losing the second set and being forced to save four set points in the third.

Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios offered to help out Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Eurosport/Getty

The crowd were largely backing Popyrin and he gave them plenty to cheer about.

But it was Djokovic who ultimately came out on top to progress to the third round.

Djokovic was involved in an altercation with one supporter during the match.

The 36-year-old bit back at the fan after he heckled the Serbian star.

Kyrgios was on co-commentary duty for Eurosport and interviewed Djokovic after his win.

And the 28-year-old said that he was willing to help his fellow rival out if he had any more trouble from the vocal fan.

Kyrgios said: "When he was heckling you Novak, I said to the commentary box and everybody worldwide I was like 'If you want me to jump in the crowd and sort him out, I'll do it for you bro'.

"I've got your back, 100 per cent."

Djokovic was grateful for Kyrgios' support.

He replied: "I'll keep that in my mind. Thanks Kygs."

Djokovic admitted his performance was below par during his on-court interview immediately after the win.

He held back his opinions on the crowd until he spoke directly to TV.

Djokovic claimed fans were shouting at the wrong moment throughout the match.

And he revealed that one heckler apologised for their comments.

Djokovic said: "Yeah I was feeling really a lot of mixed emotions today on the court.

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic was involved in an altercation with a fan

Eurosport

"Not a great atmosphere to play in to be honest for me but again you have to find a way to win and accept the circumstances, conditions you're playing in.

"People basically made noise between the first and second serve the entire match.

"It is what it is, it's a Grand Slam, it's a fight. Of course it annoys you but at the same time you have to accept it and go with it.

"But you know what really frustrates me is when someone is heckling. So I confronted the hecklers as I did.

Rod Laver Arena

Novak Djokovic spoke to a fan who heckled him at the Australian Open

Eurosport

"I invited a guy to come and tell it to my face whatever he was saying and he was saying a lot of nice things.

"So he was apologising from far away and all of a sudden there was absence of courage when he needs to face me."

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