Novak Djokovic And Nick Kyrgios Provide Insights Into Their Doubles Team-Up in Brisbane

Saturday, 28 December 2024 at 16:00

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byErik Virostko

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will play doubles together at the 2025 Brisbane International, and it will undoubtedly be a unique experience for both.

Only a few years ago, not many could imagine Djokovic and Kyrgios standing on the same side of the tennis court. The two had plenty of differences, mostly because of the Serbian's Adria Tour, which Kyrgios heavily criticized at the time.

In a way, it was the same thing that later united them, the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Australian player didn't think organizing an exhibition in the middle of a pandemic was a good idea, he also thought that Djokovic should have been allowed to compete at the 2022 Australian Open as a healthy individual.

Since then, their partnership has been blossoming, and the two even met in a Grand Slam final, battling it out for the trophy at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.

While they have stood on opposite sides of the court many times since their meeting at Wimbledon, both have also hinted at meeting on the same side of the court in doubles.

But since Kyrgios has struggled with injuries for the past two years, that couldn't happen. However, that will change at the upcoming Brisbane International, where Kyrgios and Djokovic will play together.

Both are already in Brisbane and after their arrival, both were immediately asked about their partnership at the ATP 250 event, running from December 29th, 2024, until January 5th, 2025.

Djokovic first spoke about his return to Brisbane. He has competed at the Brisbane International only once before, but in 2020, the Serbian played in the city at the ATP Cup.

"Great to be back. I haven't played in Brisbane since the ATP Cup back in 2020. So, it's exciting, and I'm looking forward to competing."

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was then immediately asked about his team-up with Kyrgios, and a bright smile appeared on his face after hearing the question.

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"That's going to be fun. We've never teamed up, so let's see. We texted about it. We spoke earlier in Wimbledon about playing together when he's back on Tour. We got the first chance right away in the first week of the season, so it should be fun."

Kyrgios was naturally asked the same question, and he provided a playful response. The 29-year-old Australian said that while many think that it will be a pleasure for him to play with Djokovic, it's actually the other way around.

"Everyone thinks it's a pleasure playing with him. It's actually a pleasure playing with me."

Changing to a serious tone, Kyrgios explained that before either of the two retires, they wanted to stand on the same side of the tennis court at least once.

"I think we wanted to play one time at least before either his career ends or mine finishes as well. To finally do it on my home soil, where, for the fans, whenever you get a team like that, it's important that fans get that, because that's what tennis is about, having two great personalities."

Both will, obviously, compete also in singles at the 2025 Brisbane International. Djokovic will start against Rinky Hijikata, while Kyrgios will take on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.