Djokovic and Kyrgios entertain in season-opening doubles victory in Brisbane
The Serb and the Australian made it through to the second round of the men’s doubles event in Brisbane
Tennis – Australian Open – Exhibition Match – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 13, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Australia’s Nick Kyrgios pose for photograph after the exhibition match (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have made a successful start to their Brisbane International doubles campaign, entertaining in typical style in the process.
The Serbian-Australian duo won in a super tie-break – 6-4, 6-7, 10-6 – against the pair of Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies, respectively 42nd and 61st in the men’s doubles world rankings.
“It was amazing, thank you all for coming, the atmosphere was great,” Djokovic said during the on-court interview. “Nick said it should be a pleasure for me to play with him, and it was (smiles). I haven’t played many doubles in my life, especially in the last few years, so I listened to everything he told me.”
During the changes of sides, cameras and microphones captured Aussie, winner of the 2022 Australian Open title alongside partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, giving his tactical instructions to the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Once victory was sealed, Kyrgios was asked if he had been the captain of the team.
I was surprised that he (Novak Djokovic) doubted himself at times. I said to myself: ‘You’re the best of all time, go ahead, do what you want!’
“Not at all,” he replied.
“I was surprised that he doubted himself at times. I said to myself, ‘You’re the best of all time, go ahead, do what you want!’ I looked at the fans, this beautiful full stadium, I enjoyed the energy and was happy to be there. The injury was a real ordeal for me. I don’t know how many Australian tours I have left, I don’t take anything for granted.”
Requiring surgery for a meniscus cyst a little more than two years ago, then a ruptured ligament in his right wrist 18 months ago, Kyrgios had hardly played in official competition since October 2022. His one match during that time was a loss to Wu Yibing on the grass of Stuttgart in June 2023. Alongside Djokovic, who ended his 2024 season following defeat against Jannik Sinner in the final in Shanghai in October, the Canberra native appeared in good form.
Appearing to be physically fleshed out, with a few kilograms of extra muscle, the 29-year-old showed that he had lost none of his ability to make his power speak on serve. Throughout the match, the Australian and the Serb did not concede a single break point.
Djokovic and Kyrgios combine entertainment and efficiency
At the end of the first stanza, both men were able to raise their level much to the vocal delight of a rapturous packed stadium.
“I was in perfect position (to get the ball past the net) after Mies’ cross-field volley,” Djokovic said. “We won points, the atmosphere rose, then we came back in this game to win the set. We tried to put the fans in our pockets to benefit from their energy.”
“Everyone wanted me to serve underarm, but I try to be professional,” he smiled after the win. A comment on which his Belgrade sidekick relied to tease him: “The best moment of this interview: ‘I try to be professional.’ I love it, I love it’.
In the second round, Kyrgios and Djokovic are scheduled for Wednesday, against Nikola Mektić and Michael Venus, the top seeds. Before this, however, the Australian and the Serb are due to start their singles adventures on Tuesday, against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Rinky Hijikata respectively.
