Nick Kyrgios made his long-awaited return to the tennis court on Monday afternoon at the Brisbane International alongside 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
The Aussie tennis star has played just once competitively in the past two years, having undergone wrist reconstruction surgery last year, having revealed this week that it was a ‘miracle’ that he was able to take part in this week’s tournament ahead of the Australian Open next month.
Kyrgios and Djokovic sealed a hugely entertaining 4-6 7-6 8-10 victory over Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies at the Pat Rafter Arena and at times it felt more like the pair were playing an exhibition match.
They certainly put on a show, with both players showcasing their sensational talents, pulling off a series of trick shots as they chatted and joked on the tennis court, in front of noisy crowd.
At one stage, Djokovic lifted the roof of the Pat Rafter Arena, producing a remarkable shot around the net, while Kyrgios, back playing on home soil produced a stunning tweener before securing a point in the second set.
It was pure entertainment, with Kyrgios subsequently sprinting around the court lapping up the cheers from the home fans, before giving Djokovic a high-five.
‘We promised we were going to do this one more time before either he goes or I go,’ Kyrgios, 29, said to Sky Sports.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios delighted fans on Monday afternoon as they dazzled in their opening doubles match at the Brisbane International
The pair showcased their brilliance to seal a 2-1 victory against Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies in what was Kyrgios’ (left) long-awaited return from injury
Kyrgios and Djokovic are both due to play in the men’s singles event, with their first round matches coming tomorrow afternoon.
Over the years, Kyrgios and Djokovic have had some huge battles when pitted against each other, perhaps the most notable of those was the 2022 Wimbledon final, where the Serbian star claimed victory against the Australian.
The pair have long known to be friends off the court and today showed that they have excellent chemistry on it, which could prove to be very successful this week in Brisbane and at Melbourne Park – should they chose to partner up again at the Australian Open.
‘I want to thank Nick for playing,’ Djokovic said.
‘He said the other day: “It should be a pleasure to play with him…” it is a pleasure,’ he added joking.
‘I’m glad to share the court with him on his comeback. I haven’t played that many doubles matches in my life, particularly the last five years. So whatever Nick was saying I was following.’
Pressed on whether he was leading Djokovic, Kyrgios said: ‘Not at all. I was actually surprised he doubted himself in some moments, I was like: “Brother you’re the greatest of all time, go for it, do what you gotta do.”
‘For me I was just looking around, this beautiful stadium, I know this injury has been brutal for me so I wasn’t taking any of this for granted.
‘I don’t know how many Aussie summers I’ve got left, so, I was just looking around, loving the energy and just so happy to be back out here.’
Some tennis fans took to social media to reveal their elation to see Kyrgios back on the court.
Others spoke of how Australia’s great entertainer and Djokovic put on a very fun show for fans inside the Pat Rafter Arena.
At one stage during the match, Djokovic produced a spectacular around-the-net shot, sending fans to their feet
Kyrgios, meanwhile, showed no signs that his injury was bothering him. He underwent wrist reconstruction surgery earlier this year but is now gunning to play at this summer’s Australian Open
Kyrgios also put on a show for fans at the Pat Rafter Arena, producing a stunning tweener, before eventually winning a point
Djokovic said he was ‘glad to share the court with Kyrgios on his comeback,’ with the pair going on to share a few jokes after the match
Kyrgios spoke of his delight to be back on court, having played just once competitively over the past two years
‘Djokovic and Kyrgios are bringing the magic in Brisbane… That around-the-net winner was pure wizardry,’ one wrote on X.
Another added: ‘Gotta say – Kyrgios is looking dangerously sharp out there – after two years of no play! Looking forward to singles tomorrow.’
‘Its like he never left #Kyrgios,’ another added.
‘Bringing some action to an otherwise stale sport, love to see him back on the court.’
‘I’m totally here for this Djokovic-Kyrgios combo. Like we’re in a parallel universe,’ another said.