Novak Djokovic says Nick Kyrgios has the game to return to the world’s top 10 if he applied greater discipline, while also expressing hope the Australian can overcome ongoing injury problems. Kyrgios has battled health issues since 2023 and underwent knee and wrist surgery, the latter described as a “full reconstruction” of the wrist. He withdrew from the entire 2024 season to prioritise rest, returned at Brisbane in January and has played just five matches in the nine months since.

“I’d really love for him to come back, because he’s been through so much with injuries,” commented Djokovic, whilst speaking to Serbian media at the US Open. “He means a lot to our sport. As controversial and different as he is, people love it – he draws the crowds.

“I saw him talking with Bublik about playing a match against (Aryna) Sabalenka, a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ like Billie Jean King back in the day.

“That would be very interesting if it happens. I hope he can finish his career on the court. It would be a shame if injuries prevented him from playing at least a few more big tournaments.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t have the discipline that was required, but if he had 30 percent – and he has five percent – he’d be Top 10 easily.

“He played a Wimbledon final without warm-up, without serious training, without a coach, and beat all of us at the top.”

The pair have had a turbulent history. Kyrgios called Djokovic a ‘tool’ after Djokovic advocated easing COVID-19 restrictions at the 2021 Australian Open, and Kyrgios had beaten Djokovic in both meetings that preceded that controversy. The most recent meeting came in the 2022 Wimbledon final, where Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) to take their head-to-head to 2-1.

“He has so much talent and potential, he could have done incredible things, but neglecting his body brought him where he is,” the Serb added. “As a friend, I really like him and hope he comes back – to play that match with Sabalenka and at least his Australian Open, because he deserves that.

“It’s not an easy situation for a tennis player – you don’t know, you’re neither here nor there, unofficially retired but still trying.

“I wish him all the best, and maybe a little less drinking and sending those videos.”

The relationship appears to have warmed: they teamed up in Brisbane this year in the men’s doubles and were knocked out in the second round. Djokovic also joked about Kyrgios’s habit of sending clips. “He sent me a video once, he loves sending me clips from nightclubs, bars – I didn’t even reply to the last one,” joked the tennis legend. “He always says: ‘Why do I keep running into Serbs everywhere in the world?’

“He’ll go to a party, bump into one of ours, they’ll say: ‘Nick, you Serb!’ Then they hug, drink, and he sends me the videos.”

Alex Michelsen and Reilly Opelka have been added to Team World’s roster for the Laver Cup in San Francisco, taking the places of Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul for the September 19-21 event. The No. 6 and No. 14-ranked Americans were both forced to withdraw from the team competition with injuries that have also ruled them out of their nation’s Davis Cup second-round qualifier against Czechia next week in Delray Beach, Fla.

Michelsen is one of four newcomers set to debut at this year’s event, joining teammate Joao Fonseca among the fresh faces on Team World. The 21-year-old from Aliso Viejo, Calif., broke into the Top 30 for the first time in July. His 2025 season includes a run to the round of 16 at the Australian Open, a pair of Top 20 wins and a quarterfinal showing in Toronto.

Opelka returns to the Laver Cup scene seeking his first win at the event, four years after making his debut in Boston. The 6’11” Michigan native has experienced a notable comeback after being sidelined for nearly two years with wrist and hip injuries. He returned to competition in July 2024 and began 2025 ranked No. 293. Since that reset he has climbed back inside the Top 70 on the strength of 23 tour-level wins.

Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup last year in Berlin, denying Team World a three-peat and sending captain Bjorn Borg off on a high note. For this edition, Yannick Noah was named as Borg’s successor, with Andre Agassi taking over for John McEnroe.

The late-season team competition will feature the revised Team World lineup as players prepare for the city showdown in San Francisco September 19-21.

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-final against Japan after accepting a wild card for the Korea Open. The WTA 500 event in Seoul runs September 15 to 21 and conflicts with the tie scheduled for September 18.

Raducanu had been set to complete the British line-up alongside Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal. Her replacement is expected to be announced in the coming days. The Japanese delegation named for the tie includes Naomi Osaka, Moyuka Uchijima, Ena Shibahara, Eri Hozumi and Shuko Aoyama. The winner will meet the victor of the quarter-final between the United States and Kazakhstan.

Raducanu has previous history at the Korea Open. In 2024 she reached the quarter-finals but retired in her match against Daria Kasatkina after losing the first set 6-1 because of foot discomfort. In 2022 she progressed one round further but again retired mid-match, this time against top seed Jelena Ostapenko while trailing 3-0 in the third set.

Her decision to prioritise the Seoul event follows a pattern of scheduling choices intended to manage her body. She skipped the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying round against the Netherlands and Germany in April to complete a training block and “look after her body.” Raducanu was instrumental in Great Britain’s run to the semi-finals in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2024, winning all three of her singles matches and securing the team’s only point in their loss to the Slovakian team.

Billie Jean King had previously expressed enthusiasm about Raducanu’s participation in the team event, saying: “I think it’s huge that you can speak the language of wherever you are,” King remarked.

“Raducanu is very articulate as well, she’s very good at getting up and speaking, covering a lot of subjects. You can tell she thinks about a lot of things compared to a lot of the players.

“I think we’re really lucky to have her but she likes it, she likes playing for her country.

“If I were her, I’d be pretty excited. She’s playing very well, and the main thing is she’s injury-free, her body’s healthy again.”

Raducanu has moved back up the rankings to world No 36 after a run of improved results, including a last-four showing at the WTA 500 in Washington. She lost to ninth seed Elena Rybakina 6-1, 6-2 in the third round of the US Open. After Wimbledon she added Francisco Roig to her team and confirmed the partnership will continue for the rest of the season: “Right now we’re working through to the end of the year, and I’m looking forward to just getting back to work really,” she stated. “It’s only been three weeks, but I think it’s been a pretty successful three weeks in the sense of we’ve made good improvement, and I think there are certain parts of my game which have gotten better for sure.”