Finding glory on the home turf is a feeling apart. Nick Kyrgios felt the same when he clinched the Australian Open doubles title with his best mate Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022. Now ahead of his highly-anticipated return to the tour, the controversial Aussie announced teaming up with Serbian Novak Djokovic for a ‘double trouble’ at the Brisbane International. While the update continues to excite fans, Kyrgios has voiced his expectations from his partnership with the 24-time Major winner.

After a series of career-threatening injuries plagued his chances of competing regularly in the last couple of years, Kyrgios confirmed a few weeks back that he would return to the circuit in 2025 for the first time in 18 months. “It was a 15 miracle percent chance that I was going to get back to playing at this level and here we are. To get back out there in front of the home fans is going to be sick,” the Aussie said.

The 29-year-old, who last contested at the 2023 Stuttgart Open in June 2023, has already created excitement among the fans ahead of his comeback. Days after confirming his return, Kyrgios posted an update on social media, revealing he would join forces with Djokovic for a doubles showdown in Brisbane. “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there,” he wrote.

Ever since their 2022 Wimbledon final ‘bromance,’ the duo has grown fond of each other and finally decided to pair for an ultimate showcase. After arriving in Brisbane, Kyrgios told the press his vision of the upcoming partnership: “Everyone thinks it’s a pleasure playing with him, it’s actually a pleasure playing with me let’s be real. But he’s… nah, look I think we wanted to play one time at least before either his career ends or mine finishes as well so to finally do it on my home soil where you think, I think for fans whenever you get a team-up like this it’s important that the fans get that because that’s what tennis is about.”

His comeback, however, isn’t the only thing occupying Kyrgios’ interest for the time being. He is also quite irked by the recent doping scandals involving two of the sport’s most influential personalities.

Nick Kyrgios slams Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek over ‘disgusting’ doping saga

Australian superstar Nick Kyrgios did not mince his words when he discussed Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek‘s doping controversy during his presser at the Brisbane International. Both star players tested positive for prohibited substances, prompting the ITIA to level charges against them for breaches. While the Italian evaded a lengthy ban after a provisional 8-day suspension, Polish Swiatek had to serve a one-month doping ban from the circuit. However, the decisions taken over their alleged doping nightmare hardly made a difference in Kyrgios’ eyes.

He told the reporters in Brisbane: “Two world No.1s both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look. Tennis integrity right now, and everyone knows it, but no one wants to speak about it, it’s awful. Someone like me … I would never even in my entire life ever try and dope in this sport.”

The 2018 Brisbane champion will kick off his tour-level singles campaign on home turf on December 29 and, will hope to produce laudable results for fans to relish. Do you back Kyrgios to make a significant mark in the Australian hard-court swing?