Nick Kyrgios is set to join forces with Novak Djokovic in the doubles event at the upcoming Brisbane International.
It’s the latest instalment in their ‘bromance’ after they started practising together and paid tribute to one another on the court following their 2022 Wimbledon singles final.
But just a few years ago, the pair had a fierce rivalry, with Kyrgios claiming Djokovic was “cringeworthy” and had a “sick obsession with wanting to be liked”.
Kyrgios and Djokovic have become one of tennis’ most unlikely pairings. The former No. 13 spent years calling out the 24-time Grand Slam champion before being one of the few players publicly defending Djokovic when he was deported from Australia in January 2022.
It was the Aussie who started the spat, appearing on the No Challenges Remaining podcast in 2019, where he pulled no punches. “I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked,” the seven-time title winner said of Djokovic.
“He just wants to be like Roger [Federer]. This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like so cringeworthy. It’s very cringeworthy.”
The current world No. 7 later responded, telling SportsKlub: “What can I say to Nick Kyrgios?
“I really think he’s not really a bad guy. I do not know why he declares all these things, whether he wants to draw attention or some motive is different.”
A few months later, when Federer faced Djokovic in the 2019 Wimbledon final, Kyrgios tweeted: “Federer please win”.
The 29-year-old also ripped into the Serb in 2020 after he arranged the Adria Tour during the pandemic – an exhibition event which saw Djokovic and several other players catch Covid – branding it a “boneheaded decision”.
The barbs continued ahead of the 2021 Australian Open, held while Covid restrictions were in place. At the time, Djokovic wrote to then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, asking for quarantine rules to be relaxed for players.
“Djokovic is a tool,” Kyrgios wrote on social media. However, just a year later, the Australian defended Djokovic when he had more trouble with the nation’s Covid measures.
The 10-time Australian Open champion was detained in a quarantine hotel when he arrived Down Under for the tournament, failing to meet vaccine requirements. He was eventually let out but was ultimately deported on the eve of the tournament.
Kyrgios said: “I feel quite embarrassed as an Australian athlete who’s seen what this guy has done for us and for the sport. I just don’t think it’s right how we’re handling it.”
Since then, the pair have formed a friendship. Djokovic privately messaged the 29-year-old to thank him for the support, and by the time they faced off in the 2022 Wimbledon final, they had a full-on “bromance”.
“I never thought I was going to say so many nice things about you, considering the relationship. Okay, it’s officially a bromance,” the Serb told Kyrgios after beating him to lift the title.
They will now take their bond to the next level, teaming up on the doubles court in the first week of the 2025 season at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane. Both men have also entered the singles draw. It will be Kyrgios’ first tournament since June 2023 and Djokovic’s first since October.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk