Nick Kyrgios: 'Roger Federer and Michael Jordan are very similar but statistically Novak Djokovic is better'

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 22/02/2023 at 12:12 GMT

Nick Kyrgios has made an appearance on a popular podcast with American social media personality Logan Paul and given some characteristically strong views on various matters in tennis. The 27-year-old offered some thoughts on Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, big-name former players, toilet breaks, professionalism, retirement and much more. Kyrgios is poised to begin training once more after injury.

Nick Kyrgios has said he thinks sporting legends Roger Federer and Michael Jordan are "very similar" but he believes "statistically Novak is better".

The fiery Australian also made it clear that he does not believe that many big-name former players could compete against the stars of the current era, while also addressing toilet breaks, potential retirement opportunities and considering himself to be unprofessional.

Kyrgios, who had to miss the Australian Open through injury, made it very clear that "the pee thing is just stupid" in reference to the rules about toilet breaks in tennis, and feels that his image is used to sell tickets and attract fans while he is also being criticised.

ATP Madrid

Swiatek, Kyrgios see no issue with Nadal shirt request as Lehecka says it's 'kind of weird'

01/05/2024 at 18:57

"Federer and Jordan are very similar but I think statistically Novak is better," Kyrgios said on the Impaulsive podcast.

When asked if players from earlier eras, such as John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, could compete with the 'Big Three' of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, Kyrgios was dismissive.

"No way because I think Jordan could still play [in the NBA] in this era, whereas those guys would get absolutely snipped in this era."

Asked about the toilet-break rules in tennis, Kyrgios was equally forthright in making his views abundantly clear.

"The pee thing is just stupid, the tennis rules are just so dumb. I’m always in arguments with the umpires. I have been fined; I am the leading fine guy.

"The personalities in tennis are a bit inside the box. I just feel like, I am not doing anything crazy. If you compare it to other sports, just being yourself ... but in tennis, I cannot walk the line too much because they would just suspend me, and I need to play.

• 'He hit someone in the crowd' - Kyrgios fires back at Tsitsipas over 'clown' dig
• Alcaraz spares ball kid from heavy rain in classy gesture as match suspended in Rio
• Kyrgios aiming for Indian Wells return after surgery, says manager

'It's a real loss' - Australian Open fans react to Kyrgios injury withdrawal

"There are not many people at the moment like me, like that, but then when they want to post on social media about tennis, it is always about me or Nadal or Djokovic, no one else. Then they are like, 'oh, you can't do this', but then they will use my name to bring tickets and fans."

Later on, Kyrgios admitted that he would have likely stepped away from the sport had he managed to overcome world No. 1 Djokovic in the final of Wimbledon last summer.

"That was my chance, that was really my chance," he said. "If I'd honestly won that, I think I would have retired at least for a year or two.

"I would say I am probably the most unprofessional tennis player. I do not warm up or anything, no coach. It is all I have known since I was seven years old. Last year was awesome, making the final of Wimbledon and finally achieving things that will last forever.

"I think I can win a Grand Slam. Wimbledon I was right there, I was two sets away. I won the first set and I thought 'this is it', and then I just didn't stay in the moment and he stayed super composed.

"I feel like I could do that. It's weird, but I feel like it's not even for me though, I feel like it's for everyone else, all the haters as well. I could finally just rest. I could just go home and sleep in my bed and not deal with the s***."

'That's life - injuries are part of the sport' - Kyrgios reacts to pulling out of Australian Open

- - -

The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Tennis

'Back on court' - Kyrgios teases tennis return and interview with Djokovic

22/03/2024 at 13:53

Tennis

'He is LeBron' - Kyrgios likens Djokovic to NBA star after Gasquet compares him to Jordan

07/02/2024 at 12:09

Tennis

Female sports journalists must 'brace themselves' for sexist stereotypes, Hill tells Kyrgios

06/02/2024 at 21:43