BRISBANE — Novak
Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios are set to team up in the doubles draw of the
Brisbane International, an ATP 250 event scheduled from December 29 to January
5, 2025.
The announcement was first hinted by Kyrgios himself, who
took to Instagram with a playful post featuring a photo from their 2022
Wimbledon singles final.
His caption, “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there,”
immediately sparked excitement among fans. The Brisbane International confirmed
the news with a cheeky graphic on social media, captioned, “When the plans make
it out of the group chat.”
However, ATP confirmed the news on Saturday in a statement.
"Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will play doubles together at the
Brisbane International presented by Evie, the tournament confirmed on Saturday
morning in Australia,"
Kyrgios, has been sidelined for much of the past two years
due to injuries. The 29-year-old Australian last played on the ATP Tour in June
2023. His return to competitive tennis at Brisbane will be closely watched, as
fans hope to see flashes of the form that earned him seven singles titles and
four doubles crowns, including his memorable Australian Open doubles victory in
2022 alongside compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.
For Djokovic, the Brisbane International marks another
milestone in his illustrious career. The Serbian legend will not only be
looking to fine-tune his game ahead of the Australian Open but will also aim to
capture his 100th ATP singles title, a feat that would solidify his position as
one of the greatest players of all time.
This will be the first time Djokovic and Kyrgios team up on
the doubles court. While both players are best known for their singles
exploits, they bring noteworthy doubles credentials to the partnership.
Kyrgios qualified for the prestigious ATP Finals in doubles
in 2022 and has demonstrated a knack for thrilling net play and creative
shot-making. Djokovic, on the other hand, captured an ATP doubles title at
Queen’s Club in 2010 alongside Jonathan Erlich, showcasing his versatility and
court coverage.
