Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios certainly gave the Brisbane International crowd something to cheer about before their exit from the event.
Kyrgios impressed tennis tennis fans with his doubles display alongside Djokovic as the pair won their opener in Australia.
They beat Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies in round one of the Brisbane International, but that is where their journey ended.
After a superb opening 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-8 triumph, Djokovic and Kyrgios lost 6-2 3-6, 10-8 to Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.
A thrilling contest was played out in Brisbane, with one 31-rally point featuring two tweeners from Kyrgios.
When Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras played doubles against John McEnroe and Tommy Haas
Kyrgios is well used to playing doubles, having won the 2022 Australian Open alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.
But it has been much less common in Djokovic’s stunning career, with his best Grand Slam doubles run coming via a second round finish at Wimbledon in 2006.
There was, however, a triumph not long after, with Djokovic and Jonathan Erlich winning the 2010 Queen’s title.
Almost a decade later, Djokovic stepped out onto the court for a doubles clash of a different nature, as he partnered 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras in an Indian Wells exhibition match.
After Rafael Nadal couldn’t compete in his 2019 semi-final against Roger Federer due to injury, tournament director Tommy Haas quickly took action to give the disappointed fans something to cheer about.
He himself took to the court to partner seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe, with the match ending 4-3, 7-4 in their favour, with comedian Jon Lovitz playing the role of umpire.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios wow Brisbane International fans
Such exhibition matches have given tennis fans plenty of enjoyable moments over the years, with exciting rallies and inventive shots always on display.
Over 50,000 fans watched Federer play Nadal in South Africa in 2020, with Djokovic and Kyrgios now the latest rivals to team up.
Their recent venture did come on the ATP Tour, but both of their matches in Brisbane could have been forgiven for exhibition clashes.
The Serbian looked like he really enjoyed the experience, while the Australian was as exciting as ever to watch with his creative ball striking.
Djokovic has, of course, decided to team up with another former rival in Andy Murray, although the Scot will coach the Serbian as opposed to playing alongside him.
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