Nick Kyrgios claims five-time US Open champion would 'be eaten alive' by Novak Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios believes seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras would be overwhelmed by Novak Djokovic if the pair faced one another in their prime
Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian tennis star, has shared his belief that five-time US Open champion Pete Sampras would be no match for Novak Djokovic if they were to face each other in their prime. He doesn't think that even all-time greats like Sampras and Boris Becker could compete with today's players.
Related articles
Kyrgios, who is among the many stars vying for Grand Slam titles in a field of powerful, hyper-athletic superstars, questions how he can criticise Sampras, a 14-time major champion.
He firmly believes that the eras are not comparable and that today's players are far superior. While some might argue that improved equipment and a better understanding of nutrition play a role, Kyrgios simply thinks that Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, would easily defeat Sampras.
Kyrgios told The Athletic: "I'm not saying they wouldn't have found their way," referring to past champions. "But serve and volley, to do it all the time now, you need to be serving 220, because if you serve anything less than 220, bro, Djokovic eats you alive. He eats you alive."
He added: "Bro, Lleyton Hewitt destroyed Sampras one year at the U.S. Open. That was the first prototype of someone who could return serve."
"He made Sampras look like s***. And what would Djokovic do to someone like Sampras? It would be a cleanup. If Hewitt was doing it, Djokovic would destroy him. He would eat him alive."
Kyrgios further digressed, adding: "The game was so slow back then. I've watched Boris Becker and I'm not saying they weren't good in their time, but to say that they would be just as good now, it's absurd.
"A big serve back then was like 197 to 200 (km per hour). People like me, we serve 220 consistently, to corners. It's a whole different ball game."
Kyrgios enjoyed the best year of his career in 2022, reaching his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon and a career-high of 11 in the world rankings. However, he missed all four majors this year due to wrist, knee and foot injuries.
He is also set to miss next month's Australian Open as he struggles with injuries. Kyrgios played just one ATP Tour match this year, losing to China's world number 64 Yibing Wu in Stuttgart in June, which sparked rumours of an early retirement for the fiery Australian.
