How Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios went from beef to 'bromance' before Brisbane International doubles victory
Published 30/12/2024 at 15:48 GMT
Nick Kyrgios made a winning return to tennis after 18 months out injured, partnering with Novak Djokovic to beat Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 10-8 in Brisbane. But a few years ago, the prospect of Australian firebrand Kyrgios teaming up with 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic would have been ludicrous. Here is the story of how their feud became a "bromance".
Highlights: Djokovic and returning Kyrgios delight crowd in Brisbane doubles win
Video credit: SNTV
Nick Kyrgios made a winning return to tennis after 18 months out injured, partnering with Novak Djokovic to beat Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 10-8 in Brisbane.
But just two years ago, the prospect of Australian firebrand Kyrgios teaming up with 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic would have been ludicrous.
Djokovic once admitted he had "not much respect for" Kyrgios off the court, while the Australian labelled the Serb a "tool" and a "strange cat" with a "sick" desire to be liked.
So how did the pair bury the hatchet to become tennis partners and friends?
Kyrgios and Djokovic: The feud
The pair’s feud was ignited by Kyrgios targeting Djokovic with a series of verbal attacks, starting with an appearance on the No Challenges Remaining podcast in 2019.
The 29-year-old said: "I just feel like he has a sick obsession, wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger [Federer]. He just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him."
Elsewhere, Kyrgios dubbed Djokovic’s celebrations as "very cringeworthy", adding that he wanted to "do his celebration in front of him".
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‘Brother, you’re the greatest of all time’ – Kyrgios and Djokovic all smiles after doubles win
Video credit: SNTV
The Serb subsequently responded, saying: "What can I say to Nick Kyrgios? I really think he's not really a bad guy. I do not know why he declares all these things, whether he wants to draw attention or some motive is different."
Later in 2019, Kyrgios tweeted "Federer please win" when the Swiss star took on Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
The following year, the Australian criticised Djokovic again, this time for arranging an exhibition event, the Adria Tour, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kyrgios branded the event a "boneheaded decision".
He then labelled Djokovic a "tool" ahead of the 2021 Australian Open, after the 37-year-old wrote to then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews asking for quarantine rules to be relaxed for players.
Kyrgios and Djokovic: The ‘bromance’
Everything changed ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, when Djokovic was held in a government detention hotel in Melbourne after arriving at the tournament unvaccinated for Covid.
The 10-time Australian Open champion saw his visa cancelled twice, before he was ultimately deported on the eve of the tournament.
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To everyone’s surprise, it was Kyrgios who publicly leapt to Djokovic’s defence.
The Australian insisted that his country had treated Djokovic "really bad[ly]", later telling his No Boundaries podcast: "As a human, he’s obviously feeling quite alienated in all of this."
Kyrgios added that Djokovic had messaged him privately, thanking him for his reaction.
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Kyrgios: A ‘miracle’ I can play again following surgery
Video credit: SNTV
Their friendship blossomed when they met in the 2022 Wimbledon final, with Kyrgios revealing that Djokovic had messaged him a week before the championship decider saying he "hoped to see him" there.
When Djokovic ultimately claimed victory, he labelled his relationship with Kyrgios as "officially a bromance".
"I never thought I was going to say so many nice things about you, considering the relationship.
"OK, it’s officially a bromance," the Serb said in his victory speech.
Since that time, rumours of a doubles appearance were mooted, and with Kyrgios back fit, they took their chance to team up.
"We promised we’d do this one time before either he goes or I go," Kyrgios said afterwards.
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