Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios speak out about their doubles partnership ahead of Brisbane campaign
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have spoken about their surprise doubles partnership ahead of the 2025 Brisbane International.
Kyrgios surprised tennis fans earlier this month when he announced that he will play doubles with Djokovic for the first time in Brisbane.
The wildcard pairing will face unseeded opponents — Austria’s Alexander Erler and Germany’s Andreas Mies — in their first match in the 24-man doubles draw. The winners will play top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus in the second round.
Kyrgios is making his comeback from injury at the ATP 250 tournament, which will run from December 29 to January 5.
The 29-year-old Australian has played only one match since October 2022 — in Stuttgart in June 2023 — having been sidelined due to knee and wrist injuries that required surgeries.
Kyrgios and Djokovic are also competing in singles in Brisbane, and they could face off in the semi-finals. Djokovic is making just his second-ever appearance at the Brisbane International after 2009, when he exited the event in the opening round.
Following his arrival in Brisbane on Saturday, Djokovic gave his thoughts on the intriguing doubles collaboration.
“Yeah, that’s going to be fun,” the 37-year-old Serbian said. “We’ve never teamed up so let’s see. You know, we texted about it, and we spoke earlier in Wimbledon about playing together when he’s back on tour.
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“Get the first chance right away in the first week of the season, so should be fun.”
Asked how good it was to be back in Brisbane, the 24-time major champion said: “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.”
After his own arrival at Brisbane airport, Kyrgios made a joke when told by a reporter that Djokovic had said he was excited to play with him.
“Of course he is [excited],” he said. “Yeah, I mean everyone thinks it’s a pleasure playing with him, it’s actually a pleasure playing with me, let’s be real (smiles).
“Everyone thinks it’s a pleasure playing with him, it’s actually a pleasure playing with me” @NickKyrgios @DjokerNole #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/brlLB7MG0P pic.twitter.com/xYA7GQOs5c
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 28, 2024
“Nah, look, I think we wanted to play [together] one time at least before either his career ends or mine finishes as well.
“So to finally do it on my home soil where, you know I think for the fans whenever you get a team-up like this, it’s important that the fans get that because that’s what tennis is about.
“Having two great personalities and trying to have some fun out there.”
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