Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic are set to debut their doubles partnership at the Brisbane International today, December 30, kicking off the Australian summer of tennis in style.
The pair, who have formed an unlikely friendship over the past 18 months, will take to Pat Rafter Arena for their first-ever doubles match, facing Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies in the round of 32.
Kyrgios, returning to tennis after a career-threatening wrist injury, humorously acknowledged the pairing, saying, “Everybody thinks it’s a pleasure to play with him [Djokovic]. It’s actually a pleasure to play with me, let’s be real.”
Despite their differing personalities, Kyrgios and Djokovic are the headline names of the ATP 250 singles draw, and their doubles debut is expected to draw a large crowd.
“I don’t know how it’s going to be – we might get absolutely snipped,” Kyrgios joked, adding that they might not win, given their lack of doubles experience.
Djokovic echoed a laid-back attitude, saying, “Now we have the first chance right away in the first week of the season, should be fun.”
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While Kyrgios is focused on his singles return against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic is aiming to build on his Olympic gold medal from Paris this year.
Both players are eager to return to top form after challenging seasons, with Djokovic admitting, “It’s been an interesting year… I’ve had more losses and ups and downs than in previous seasons,” but he remains hungry to make more history.
Off the court, Kyrgios has been outspoken about issues in tennis, particularly the handling of doping cases involving top-ranked players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Kyrgios criticised the inconsistency of the sport’s doping protocols, calling the situation “disgusting.”
Djokovic, while acknowledging the discomfort of Kyrgios’ comments, agreed with some of his points, especially regarding the lack of transparency in doping cases, stating, “We were kept in the dark for five months” regarding Sinner’s case.
As both players gear up for the new season, their partnership at the Brisbane International promises to be a highlight of the tournament, with fans excited to see how their contrasting personalities mesh on the court.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
