Nick Kyrgios And Novak Djokovic will form an unlikely doubles duo after the Australians announced their intention to team up at Brisbane International later this month.
Kyrgios embarks on a return of long-term injury problemshaving spent most of the time two years apart and had not appeared in a major tournament since a run to the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2022.
Knee, foot and wrist injuries have meant the 29-year-old has only played one game since then, but he will do his part return of the grand slam to THE Australian Open in January, using his protected ranking of 21st.
As a warm-up for Melbourne, he intends to take part in a World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from December 19-22 before playing at the Brisbane International on December 29.
And the controversial Australian has now confirmed he will team up with tennis legend Djokovic in the doubles in Brisbane, posting on Instagram: “Doubles in Brisbane. See you all there.
Kyrgios also cited an Instagram post from 2022, in which he discussed a potential partnership with the Serbian. He wrote: “New pair of doubles this year…. Loading…… @djokernole are you ready??!! with a photo of the duo walking onto Center Court for their final at Wimbledon in 2022.
It was Kyrgios’ first Grand Slam singles final and he looked set to go further, only for his injury to more or less erase his entire career since.
The two men have never played doubles together before and, in fact, historically have a very frosty relationship with Kyrgios, previously calling Djokovic a “tool” and the 24-time Grand Slam champion responding by saying he “doesn’t doesn’t have much respect” for his rival.
Their relationship has improved since then and they are now preparing to team up on the same side of the court – something Djokovic revealed he was looking forward to organizing for the Australian Open in 2023, only for injuries of Kyrgios make things fail. .
While Kyrgios aims to prove his fitness and get back into the Grand Slam swing at the Australian Open, Djokovic aims to lift the men’s singles trophy in Melbourne for the 11th time, which would be a 25th Grand Slam crown Slam overall and give her the only first place on the all-time list ahead of Margaret Court, who also has 24 to her name.
