Nick Kyrgios to staff up with Novak Djokovic in blockbuster Brisbane doubles | Tennis information

Novak Djokovic says teaming up with Nick Kyrgios on the Brisbane Worldwide will probably be a enjoyable expertise as he prepares for the Australian Open.

The pair have clashed prior to now when Kyrgios referred to as Djokovic a “moron” and a “instrument”, however they’ve since developed an in depth friendship after the final of their three conferences, within the 2022 Wimbledon closing.

“It’s going to be enjoyable,” mentioned Djokovic, who’s utilizing the match to organize to win a document eleventh Australian Open trophy.

“We texted about it and we talked earlier at Wimbledon (this 12 months) about the opportunity of taking part in collectively when he comes again on tour. Now we have the primary probability within the first week of the season.”

Djokovic faces a house problem in his opening match when the 37-year-old takes on Australian Rinky Hijikata within the first spherical on Monday.

Djokovic, the world’s primary seed, has not competed since reaching the ultimate of the Shanghai Masters in October.

The Paris Olympic gold medalist and 24-time Grand Slam champion is taking part in in Brisbane for the primary time since 2009.

Kyrgios, who has solely performed one singles match within the final two years because of knee, foot and wrist accidents, will face Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard within the singles, mentioned: “It is good to be again, I actually by no means thought I might come again and play at this degree. Even going to an occasion like this, getting ready, doing all the correct issues.

“I am actually excited to go on the market and play, simply play tennis. I noticed Novak within the health club, taking part in doubles with him, it is so thrilling to have the ability to exit and compete once more.”

The primary draw of the Brisbane occasion will happen from Sunday to January 5 – dwell on Sky Sports activities Tennis – earlier than the beginning of the Australian Open on January 12.

Raducanu prepared for motion in Auckland

The brand new tennis season has already begun, with the United Cup staff occasion starting on Friday.

Nice Britainweakened by the absence of Jack Draper because of harm, start their marketing campaign towards Argentina in Sydney on Monday earlier than dealing with the hosts Australia Wednesday.

This might pit Katie Boulter towards her fiancée Alex De Minaur, with the couple saying their engagement final week.

“It is clearly unbelievable information from us, however I feel we sort of needed it to relax a bit bit earlier than the video games began,” Boulter mentioned of the timing.

“My non-public life is a bit bit public proper now. However, so far as what I do on the sphere, I will do my finest day-after-day to remain in my little bubble.”

Billy Harris took Draper’s place, with the British primary dealing with a race towards time to be match for the Australian Open because of a hip drawback.

Emma Raducanu is the sixth seed on the ASB Basic in Auckland and can start his season with a match towards world quantity 117 Robin Montgomery, whereas Cameron Norrie faces one other American, Learner Tien, on the Hong Kong Open.

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