Nick Kyrgios is set to team up with Novak Djokovic in the doubles event at the upcoming Brisbane International, marking another chapter in their unexpected bromance.
The pair, who once had a fierce rivalry, began practising together and publicly praising each other on court after their 2022 Wimbledon singles final. Just a few years ago, Kyrgios described Djokovic as “cringeworthy” and accused him of having a “sick obsession with wanting to be liked”.
Despite being a former critic of the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Kyrgios was one of the few players to publicly defend Djokovic when he was deported from Australia in January 2022.
The Australian player initiated the feud during an appearance on the ‘No Challenges Remaining’ podcast in 2019, where he didn’t hold back his opinions about Djokovic. The latter responded to Kyrgios’ comments in an interview with SportsKlub, stating that he didn’t believe Kyrgios was a bad person and questioned why he made such statements.
The 29-year-old also criticized the Serb in 2020 after he organized the Adria Tour during the pandemic – an exhibition event which saw Djokovic and several other players contract Covid – calling it a “boneheaded decision”.
The criticism continued ahead of the 2021 Australian Open, held while Covid restrictions were in place. At the time, Djokovic wrote to then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, asking for quarantine rules to be relaxed for players. “Djokovic is a tool,” Kyrgios posted on social media.
However, just a year later, the Australian defended Djokovic when he faced more issues with the nation’s Covid measures. The 10-time Australian Open champion was detained in a quarantine hotel upon his arrival Down Under for the tournament, failing to meet vaccine requirements.
The 29-year-old also criticized the Serb in 2020 after he organized the Adria Tour during the pandemic – an exhibition event which saw Djokovic and several other players contract Covid – calling it a “boneheaded decision”.
The criticism continued ahead of the 2021 Australian Open, held while Covid restrictions were in place. At the time, Djokovic wrote to then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, asking for quarantine rules to be relaxed for players. “Djokovic is a tool,” Kyrgios posted on social media.
However, just a year later, the Australian defended Djokovic whe.n he faced more issues with the nation’s Covid measures. The 10-time Australian Open champion was detained in a quarantine hotel upon his arrival Down Under for the tournament, failing to meet vaccine requirements,
“I never thought I was going to say so many nice things about you, considering the relationship. Okay, it’s officially a bromance,” the Serb told Kyrgios after defeating him to win the title.
