Djokovic and Nadal backed as Kyrgios pours cold water on Slam theory

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Nick Kyrgios has backed Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to keep dominating at the Grand Slams in 2023 despite many believing a changing of the guard is coming following 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open win. The world No 22 shut down the idea that a new Major champion would be crowned next season despite setting his sights on winning one of the sport’s biggest titles for the first time.

Djokovic and Nadal appear to have new players threatening their chances at the Grand Slams thanks to the rise of young stars like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner. But Kyrgios believes the two tennis icons will have nothing to worry about in 2023 as he claimed there wouldn’t be a new Grand Slam winner despite Alcaraz managing to win his first Major at the age of 19 just three months ago.

“I’m gonna say ‘no’,” the world No 22 told 7 News when asked if tennis would see more new Grand Slam champions crowned next season. And he already knew who was going to win two of the four Grand Slam champions, backing Djokovic and Nadal to continue their race to end their careers with the most titles with the exception of two players who could stop them.

“Well, Rafa will win the French Open, Djokovic will probably win Wimbledon – unless I stop him – so I don’t know,” he continued, hinting that he would try and get revenge over the world No 5 after losing his maiden Grand Slam final to Djokovic at Wimbledon this year.

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Explaining who else he thought had a shot at upsetting the Serb, Kyrgios added: “Djokovic is so dominant that unless someone really elevates their level at the Australian Open or US Open, I can’t see him losing. Medvedev could maybe beat him.”

The 27-year-old has made no secret of the fact that he is determined to win a Major after making his first big final at Wimbledon this season, but has now admitted that it might not be a realistic goal as a result of Djokovic’s level at the Slams. “Look I’d love to win one – but, realistically, he’s so dominant,” he said.

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Kyrgios himself managed to defeat Medvedev at the US Open earlier this year when the Russian was the defending champion and world No 1. The Aussie has been hoping to capitalise on his victory by going on to lift the title but lost in the following round to Karen Khachanov and shared his extra motivation to win a Major in 2023.

“Now I just have to wait until the Australian Open but I just want to keep my form, the way I’m playing, I want to keep that going,” he said during what was his next tournament appearance at the Tokyo Open. But it now seems that Kyrgios is less convinced as he poured cold water over the idea that another new Grand Slam champion would emerge next year.

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