Is it ever possible for two rivals to become friends? Many might say no, but Aussie player Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic have proved otherwise. What began as a rivalry laced with tension, on and off the court, transformed into an unexpected bromance over time. As they gear up for Brisbane next month, hints are being tossed they would be paired up for doubles. And Christopher Eubanks can’t be happier about this possibility as he shares his insights on how this surprising pairing might be a game-changer for the sport.
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Eubanks poured his heart out while expressing his take on the partnership between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios in the upcoming Brisbane international. Kyrgios has been long off the court for around 2 years due to knee and wrist surgeries. He will be making a much-awaited comeback this season with the Brisbane international. Previously, this Aussie player doubted whether he could recover and play the sport again – and, he tried his skills in other roles such as commentary. Almost two years later, Kyrgios hinted at this potential doubles partnership with the Serb on social media. “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there,” wrote Kyrgios alongside his photo with Djokovic from the 2022 Wimbledon finals. This news delighted the fraternity with great expectations for 2025. American player Christopher Eubanks also expressed similar hope in his recent discussion with Jason Goodall and Mark Petchey in the Tennis Channel Live Podcast.
“I would love to see them able to come together. I think we have seen you know a bit of a topsy-turvy relationship between the two. I think they’ve kind been able to make amends and seem to be having a little bit of bromance at various points. We have seen Nick on social media really being one of Novak’s biggest fans and biggest supporters and sharing him on so I think it’s good for the game to have two of the biggest personalities and two of the best players in the world teaming up on the doubles side of the court,” Eubanks said. He focused on Kyrgios’ constant support for Djokovic in recent years which might help in their on-court coordination.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia snakes hands with Nick Kyrgios of Australia after losing the match as part of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel 2017 at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess on March 02, 2017 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Interestingly, the duo never played any doubles match together. Not to forget, there was a time when the Aussie player called his Serbian opponent “a tool”. But the frosty days are over. Now, if we look at Djokovic’s take on Nick Kyrgios’ personality, it perfectly showcases how they have come a long way from sheer rivalry to friendship. The Serbian legend’s words speaks volumes of the inherent power of sports.
Novak Djokovic talked about his “bromance” with Nick Kyrgios
In 2019, Kyrgios made a surprising remark about the Serb. “a sick obsession with wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger (Federer),” said Kyrgios in the No Challengers Remaining podcast while describing the Serb. A year later, he criticized the Serb for the Adria Tour exhibition event in Croatia and Serbia. When Kyrgios called Djokovic ‘a tool’ during the 2021 Australian Open, the Serb responded, “Off the court, I don’t have much respect for him, to be honest. That’s where I’ll close it. I really don’t have any further comments for him, his own comments for me, or anything else he’s trying to do.” Djokovic’s words highlighted that he wasn’t interested in bonding with Kyrgios at that time.
However, things changed between them, and during the 2022 Wimbledon, Djokovic said, “Yeah, it’s a little bit of a bromance that we are having in the last few years, considering we really didn’t like each other at all for many years.” Now that friendship might be put to test in front of the fraternity in 2025 Brisbane.
Nick Kyrgios’ hint to play doubles with Novak Djokovic has certainly got tennis fandom excited. If it does happen, it’ll be a match to watch. Do you think they can shine together in Brisbane?
Written by
Edited by
Reyan Mishra