Nick Kyrgios has been left humbled by a vote of confidence from new Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who told the injured Australian ace he too can still join the grand-slam singles-winning club.
Sinner took time out after his breakthrough triumph in Melbourne on Sunday night to tell the injured Kyrgios, who spent his enforced absence as a Eurosport TV commentator on the Open, that the sport needed him back on court.
But Kyrgios knows how difficult any comeback will be as he suggested the 22-year-old champ is now going to prove "unstoppable" after his extraordinary five-set comeback triumph over Daniil Medvedev.
The pair had a jovial exchange on camera when Kyrgios asked if Sinner might coach him - without a fee - on how to win a slam.
But after laughing that "maybe I do it for free", Sinner got serious as he offered an unprompted salute to his Australian pal.
"I think, what's for sure, everyone is missing you," Sinner told Kyrgios.
"You are this kind of player you don't see around so often. Your game style, your way how to behave on court, and those kind of things, you are different, no? And this kind of player we need.
"So I hope you are getting back - I'm missing you. It was a great emotion to see you after my second-round match, so I hope to see you back as soon as possible.
"And, also, you are potential grand slam champion - and I think you know it, so keep it up."
Kyrgios seemed taken aback and just a little emotional at the unexpected tribute.
"It gives you an insight on how he is. He just wins the biggest title of his life and he's very humble, a super nice guy. He just shows incredible maturity," said the 2022 Wimbledon finalist.
"And you can just already tell that he's got his sights on something else. He wants to keep achieving these amazing things and go after more slams - he's not satisfied.
"I could feel from him that he's ready to keep going and he's going to be around for a long time.
"I think we're gonna see him win plenty more slams in the next couple of years. Now he got this one, he's just going to be unstoppable."
