Novak Djokovic hands Nick Kyrgios new Wimbledon role after walkover into semi-finals

Nick Kyrgios described himself as Novak Djokovic’s “hitting partner” as the Aussie gears up to practice with the Wimbledon semi-finalist for the second time across the Championships. Kyrgios and Djokovic enjoy a close relationship but while the former spends his time as a BBC pundit, he has also been moonlighting as a vessel to help the 37-year-old.

Kyrgios first practised with Djokovic on Friday, where he mocked the 24-time Grand Slam champion, after their initial session was rained off two days prior. But a seemingly successful workout has earned Kyrgios the chance to work with his 2022 Wimbledon final opponent again.

“You should never doubt this man and I will hopefully hit with him tomorrow (Thursday) so I can get a bit of an insight of how he is feeling,” Kyrgios told BBC host Clare Balding. “Yeah we are going to go out tomorrow and probably just play some points and see how his knee is feeling and I’ll have some more insight. But I think right now he looks to be probably the favourite in my eyes.

“Not a match, we’ll probably play some points and I am a hitting partner now so he will just tell me where to stand and what to do, but right now after that match against Holger Rune, he is playing and moving the best I have ever seen - I will be looking forward to his semi-final.”

Djokovic was given a rare rest at Wimbledon when his quarter-final opponent Alex De Minaur pulled out of their match on the morning of. As someone with an intimate knowledge of the Serb’s game at SW19, the question was put to Kygrios whether that break would benefit Djokovic or does he thrive off the rhythm of playing.

“When you are playing best-of-five any time you can have that extra day off, especially at his age at 37 and that knee, I think that this is the best thing for him,” the Aussie explained. “It’s funny because at the start of the Championships there were so many question marks and now he comes into the semi-final probably as the favourite.”

Djokovic was caught by BBC cameras slightly hobbling, in a worry he may have suffered a setback on his return from knee surgery, but Kygrios has reassured fans that they are set to practice again in preparation for Lorenzo Musetti.

"Yeah I'll be out there tomorrow, I guess I'll be hitting a lot of slices trying to emulate maybe what he's going to see,” Kyrgios added after Musetti defeated Taylor Fritz in five sets. “I'll have to put my hat backwards, start going down a little bit and hit some slices for an hour and see how he goes.

“But yeah I think today having that day off for Novak and tomorrow really helps his chances. Anytime you get a day off playing best of five, you're going to take it."