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Kyrgios to team up with Djokovic for Brisbane International doubles

6 hours ago

Nick Kyrgios has previously credited Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, for motivating him to return to tennis despite his injuries. File

Record 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will team up with former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios to play doubles at the Brisbane International, the Australian said.

The pair, who have developed a friendship after once being at loggerheads when Kyrgios labelled Djokovic “boneheaded” and a “tool”, will use the Dec. 29-Jan. 5 ATP 250 event as a warm-up for next month’s Australian Open.

Djokovic and Kyrgios have faced each other three times on the ATP Tour, with the Australian winning the first two encounters in 2017 before losing in four sets in the 2022 Wimbledon final.

In a post on Instagram on Monday, Kyrgios shared a picture of their meeting at Wimbledon, writing: “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there”.

Organisers of the Brisbane International did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Kyrgios, who is also scheduled to play in the Dec. 19-22 World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, has played just one singles tour match in the last two years due to knee, foot and wrist injuries.

He is set to make his competitive singles return in Brisbane and will play at the Australian Open with a protected ranking of 21st, where he will also be reunited with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the men’s doubles.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, dubbed the “Special Ks” as juniors, claimed their only major title in 2022 at Melbourne Park.

The 2025 Australian Open will run from Jan. 12-26.

With 99 ATP titles to his name, Djokovic is aiming to join American Jimmy Connors (109) and Swiss Roger Federer (103) as just the third man in the Open era to win 100 career titles.

The field in Brisbane features Nick Kyrgios, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune.

Djokovic appointed Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open last month.

The former British number one was beaten by Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open on four occasions.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Emma Raducanu will begin her season at the Auckland Classic, which takes place from 30 December to 5 January.

Raducanu is on the entry list along with four-time major winner Naomi Osaka and home hope Lulu Sun, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals as a qualifier in July.

Agencies