Novak Djokovic has offered Nick Kyrgios some friendly advice on how to him a grand slam after the top seed booked his spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The 10-time champion toiled away for close to four hours before beating American Taylor Fritz 7-6(3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Tuesday evening.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nick Kyrgios asks Novak Djokovic about his tree.
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Kyrgios, who remains sidelined with injury, was commentating the match for ESPN and then conducted the on-court interview with Djokovic.
The pair have surprisingly become close friends in recent times and Djokovic even blew a kiss to Kyrgios in the commentary box during the first set tiebreaker.
They both laughed and joked throughout the interview as Djokovic revved up the crowd to cheer for Kyrgios to return.
After some general questions about the match, Kyrgios saved his best for last.
“There’s a tree you go to in the Royal Botanical Gardens that you go to and you hug, I don’t know what you do … Can you just show me which tree that is?” Kyrgios asked.
He then followed up with this: “I need to get healthy cause I’m sick of you winning on this court and I just want to come back once and beat you one time. Show me the tree, where’s the tree?”
Djokovic had last week revealed there is a particular tree in Melbourne’s famous gardens that he loves, but it’s location remains a secret.
The Serbian then offered to show Kyrgios the tree before adding a series of stipulations that would see him win a grand slam.
“I’ll show you the tree. You can’t tell anyone. It’s a big secret,” Djokovic began with a smile before delivering the punchline.
“What you gotta do is take off your shoes and climb to the highest point and hang upside down on one of the highest branches for 33 minutes and three seconds …
“And then you’re gonna win a slam.”
The two then shook hands and shared a little hug.
Djokovic had detailed the “special relationship” with the particular tree after beating Alexei Popyrin last Wednesday,
“I cannot reveal which one,” he said with a smile.
“I try to keep it discreet for myself when I am there to have my own time.
“I just like to connect, ground myself, and connect with that old friend.
“You know, it’s just… I got connected with that tree. I just liked it and I liked its roots and the trunk and branches and everything.
“I started climbing it years ago, and that’s it, I have a connection.”
