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Novak Djokovic says teaming up with Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International will be a fun experience as he prepares for the Australian Open.
The pair clashed in the past when Kyrgios branded Djokovic a “bonehead” and a “tool”, but have since developed a close friendship following the last of their three meetings, in the 2022 Wimbledon final.
“It will be fun,” said Djokovic, who is using the tournament to prepare for a record 11th Australian Open trophy.
“We sent a message about it and we talked earlier at Wimbledon (this year) about playing together when he comes back on tour. We have the first opportunity right away in the first week of the season.”
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Nick Kyrgios speaks out after both Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner face doping allegations
Djokovic will face a home challenge in his first match when the 37-year-old faces Australian Rinky Hijikata in the first round on Monday.
Top seed Djokovic, now world No. 7, has not competed since reaching the Shanghai Masters final in October.
The winner of the Olympic gold medal in Paris and the 24-time Grand Slam champion is playing in Brisbane for the first time since 2009.
Kyrgios, who has played just one match on the singles tour in the past two years due to knee, foot and wrist injuries, will face France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the singles, said: “It’s good to be back. Honestly, I never thought I’d be back to play at this level, even going into an event like this, preparing, doing all the right things.
“I’m really excited to just go out there and play, just play tennis. I’ve seen Novak in the gym, playing doubles with him, I’m really excited to get out there and compete again.”
The main draw of the Brisbane event will run from Sunday to January 5 – live on Sky Sports Tennis – before the start of the Australian Open on January 12.
Raducanu went into action in Auckland
Emma Raducana will start the season with a match against Robin Montgomery
The new tennis season is already underway, and the United Cup team tournament starts on Friday.
Great Britainwho have been weakened by the absence of Jack Draper due to injury, begin their campaign against Argentina in Sydney on Monday before meeting the hosts Australia on Wednesday.
It could pit Katie Boulter against fiance Alex De Minaur, with the pair announcing their engagement last week.
“Obviously some amazing news from us, but I think we wanted it to die down a bit before the games started,” Boulter said of the weather.
“My private life is a little bit in the public eye right now. But as far as the things I do on the field, I’ll do my best every day to stay in my little bubble.”
Billy Harris has taken Draper’s place, with the British No 1 facing a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open due to a hip problem.
Emma Raducanu is the sixth seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland and will start her season with a match against world number 117 Robin Montgomery, while Cameron Norrie he is up against another American, Learner Tien, at the Hong Kong Open.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW and The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
