Nick Kyrgios urges fans to admire Novak Djokovic after Serb's withdrawal from Adelaide International: 'I want him to...'

Nick Kyrgios has urged fans to continue to cherish the fact that Novak Djokovic is still playing and expressed his wish to see the former world number one continue to compete for as long as possible.

Djokovic on Tuesday withdrew from Adelaide International, which was going to be the only tournament he would have played in the lead up of the Australian Open. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said that he was “not quite physically ready” to take part in Adelaide.

Kyrgios who returned to action on Monday after a lengthy injury layoff has said that it is good for the sport of tennis to have the 38-year-old around for as long as possible.

READ: Australian Open organisers announce record prize money for upcoming edition

'We should cherish Djokovic'

Kyrgios said that Djokovic still wants to achieve something and the world of tennis should cherish that.

More from Tennis News

“There’s obviously something there that he wants to achieve, whether it’s another Grand Slam or something else,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“But I think we should just cherish the fact that someone that old in our sport is still at the top of it and still gives everything to it. The longer we have guys like this around, the better it is for our sport.

“I feel like there’s been a void in the sport ever since (Roger) Federer and (Rafael) Nadal left ... and obviously when Novak goes, that era is completely gone. I want him to stay for as long as possible.”

Djokovic has not played a tour match since winning the ATP event in Athens in November 2025. He will be returning to action in the upcoming Australian Open, aiming to extend his dominance in Melbourne by winning the 25th Grand Slam in his career.

Kyrgios' return to action on Monday did not go as per plan as he was handed an opening round defeat at the Brisbane International by Aleksandar Kovacevic.