Nick Kyrgios has hinted that both he and Novak Djokovic could be competing in Australia for the final time next month as the pair prepare to team-up at the Brisbane International.
The former rivals will play together in the doubles and also compete in the singles as they both start their build-up to the first Grand Slam event of the year, the Australian Open.
On Monday, Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to competitive action when he takes on rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Top seed Djokovic meanwhile, faces home player Rinky Hijikata.
But it’ll be later in the evening when the crowd get what they crave most, Kyrgios and Djokovic playing together in the doubles to take on Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies. It will be the first time the pair have shared a court in a professional match since their Wimbledon final clash in 2022.
And on his arrival at Brisbane Airport, the 29-year-old Aussie explained why the duo had to take the opportunity. “I think we wanted to play one last time at least before either his career ends or mine finishes as well,” he told Tennis TV.
“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.”
Kyrgios, who has undertaken a number of punditry roles since his lay-off for wrist and ankle problems, also joked that he, and not the 23-time Slam winner, would be the star attraction. “Everyone thinks it’s a pleasure playing with him, it’s actually a pleasure playing with me,” he added.
For his part Djokovic, who just under three years ago was controversially deported home from Australia just a day before the Australian Open back over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, said the occasion is going to be “fun.” And he also revealed that a doubles campaign had been planned by the pair ever since the summer.
“Yeah, that’s going to be fun,” he said. “We’ve never teamed up so let’s see. We’ve texted about it. We spoke in Wimbledon about playing together when he’s back on tour and we get the first chance right away – in the first week of the season. So should be fun.”
The relationship between Kyrgios and Djokovic has gone full circle, with the Aussie previously a vociferous critic of the 37-year-old icon. He was scathing over the Serbian’s ill-fated Adria Tour during the pandemic, describing his decision to organise it as “bone-headed.”
However, Kyrgios was then one of the few players to speak up for Djokovic during his 2022 ordeal in Victoria. Since then the pair have become close friends, even joking with one another on social media just hours before their final meeting at SW19 later that year.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk