Novak Djokovic is set to kick off his 2025 season at the Brisbane International, and his upcoming doubles partnership with Nick Kyrgios is already stirring the pot. This partnership has been dubbed a “validation” of Kyrgios’ fiery remarks regarding fellow competitor Jannik Sinner.
Ranked at No. 7 in the world, Djokovic will not only pursue singles glory but will also join forces with Kyrgios, who is making his anticipated return to the court after an 18-month hiatus. The former world No. 13 has been granted entry into both the singles and doubles draws, much to the excitement of fans.
Historically, Djokovic and Kyrgios have shared a rather tense relationship, but recent years have seen a thawing, culminating in their upcoming collaboration in Brisbane—expected to be one of the week’s most discussed topics.
Kyrgios has never shied away from controversy. Recently, he has been vocal in his criticism of world No. 1 Sinner, especially following the latter’s testing positive for clostebol back in March 2024, an incident for which Sinner was ultimately deemed “not at fault” and faced no suspension. Kyrgios was among the most notable voices calling for harsher penalties.
Guido Monaco, a former ATP player and now a prominent tennis commentator in Italy, advised fans to dismiss Kyrgios’ provocative comments. Monaco claimed that Djokovic’s decision to partner with Kyrgios “corroborates” the latter’s criticisms of Sinner, signaling an endorsement of his perspective.
“We ought to disregard what Kyrgios has to say,” Monaco opined. “Djokovic’s choice to play doubles with him essentially validates Kyrgios’ views on Sinner, which I find concerning. This ongoing relationship, especially in light of Kyrgios’ statements, is disheartening for tennis fans. Kyrgios has consistently undermined the sport, and it’s time we treat him as the problematic figure he is.”
Moving forward, Djokovic will be the top seed in the men’s singles at Brisbane, with ambitions of securing a historic 100th career singles title.
In contrast, Kyrgios will be stepping onto the ATP stage for the first time since the Stuttgart Open in June 2023, having battled through a series of injuries over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner will be taking a break before the Australian Open, where he aims to defend the title he secured in 2024.
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