Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios win doubles debut at Brisbane International
Their relationship thawed when Kyrgios offered support to Djokovic over the court ruling. Deport him from Australia in 2022, It has continued to heat up since then.
However, before the game, Kyrgios had no idea how things would turn out.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up returns to competition for the first time in 18 months after sustaining a wrist ligament injury he fears will end his career.
How the 29-year-old’s body will react is the first unknown.
The second question is how a new partnership between “two different personalities” is formed.
“We could have been completely beaten,” Kyrgios said. In 2022, he lost to Djokovic at Wimbledon in the only major final of his tumultuous career.
Any lingering concerns about Kyrgios’ fitness were put to rest with loving persistence in the opening game, which showed he has lost none of his trademark power.
“What a great match I had, haha,” Djokovic said with a smile.
The way the two chatted and laughed showed how relaxed they now felt in each other’s company.
As the match progressed, so did the entertainment, with Djokovic providing two highlight-reel moments to help his team win their first match.
In the tenth game, the 37-year-old Serbian hit a backhand stretch ball through the gap between the net post and the referee’s chair to lead 15-15, and then used a perfect lob to win two set points.
Kyrgios scored with a sublime forehand winner, sparking joyful celebrations from the crowd.
The second set continued to be a stalemate – although some good old-fashioned Kyrgios still had his chances.
In the 3-3 service game, he played his signature pinch-attack, supported by a sharp volley.
As he ran down the finish line, his smile showed his satisfaction at the cheers from the fans, and a delighted Djokovic ran over to join him in the celebrations.
Erler and Mies sealed the tie, but the superior skills of Kyrgios and Djokovic ensured the pair would play again later in the week.
“This injury was brutal for me, so I don’t take it for granted,” Kyrgios said.
“I don’t know how many Australian summers I have left.
“We promised we’d do it once before he or I left. So I’m glad we’re alive.”
