BRISBANE, Australia — In a lively display of camaraderie and skill, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios joined forces for doubles play on Monday as they geared up for the Australian Open. The duo, who had previously competed against each other in the Wimbledon finals, advanced to the second round of the Brisbane International with a tight victory over Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies, ending the match with scores of 6-4, 6-7 (4), and 10-8.
For Kyrgios, this match marked a significant return after 18 months away from the sport due to wrist and knee issues, while Djokovic had missed the recent ATP Finals due to an undisclosed injury. Their entertaining performance had the audience on their feet several times at Pat Rafter Arena, especially when Djokovic executed an impressive around-the-net backhand winner early on, prompting him to celebrate with Kyrgios, who joyously high-fived him.
“That’s just an iconic Novak moment. The way he moves on the court is something I’ve never managed,” Kyrgios commented, clearly enjoying the match and showcasing his own flair with some remarkable plays. One notable moment was when Kyrgios delivered a tweener—hitting the ball between his legs—after which he celebrated with a cheerful jog around the court, with Djokovic sprinting to join in the fun.
As Kyrgios clinched the win with an ace, the two players leaped in unison to perform a chest bump, further energizing the crowd. Djokovic remarked, “We aimed to engage the crowd, to draw on that energy and turn it into some exciting tennis.”
Although Kyrgios faced Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, this was his first match back since June 2023. Reflecting on his comeback, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play again, saying, “This injury has been tough on me, so I wasn’t taking this moment lightly. I don’t know how many more Aussie summers I’ll have, so I truly appreciated being back out here and soaking in the atmosphere.”
Djokovic, at 37, holds the record for the most Australian Open singles titles, having claimed the trophy 10 times, and is the owner of an impressive 24 major titles overall. While he boasts 99 singles titles, he has only secured one in doubles. In contrast, Kyrgios reached the pinnacle of doubles success by winning the Australian Open doubles title in 2022 alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, and he noted that teaming up with Djokovic was a timely decision ahead of their upcoming match in the Australian Open.
“We had promised to play together at least one more time, so I’m thrilled we’re both still in the game,” Kyrgios added. Djokovic quickly echoed the sentiment, stating, “He suggested recently that it should be a joy to play with him, and indeed it is. I’m thankful to share the court with him on his return.”
The pair received a wildcard entry into the doubles tournament and will now face the top-seeded duo of Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus in the next round.
