Nick Kyrgios is back on the ATP Tour after 167 days, partnering with Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Brisbane International.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis certainly have doubles history together, having gone all the way at the 2022 Australian Open.
The ATP pair linked up at the Grand Slam once more in 2025, but suffered a disappointing first round exit in Melbourne.
The Australian duo are now looking to emulate their 2022 success on home soil at the Brisbane International, and they have started out in fine fashion.
Who is your favorite ATP player right now?
Nick Kyrgios wins Brisbane doubles opener with Thanasi Kokkinakis
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were drawn to face veterans Matthew Ebden and Rajeev Ram in Brisbane, a match the wildcards won 5-7, 6-4, 10-8.
French pair Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul now await the home favorites in the Brisbane International round of 16.
Thanasi Kokkinakis joined Nick Kyrgios in frustrating 2025 season
Kyrgios played just five singles matches and four doubles matches in his 2025 season, which was impacted by injury.
But he was able to return to the court at the end of the year, with Kyrgios beating Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes match.
Incidentally, Kyrgios’s close friend and doubles partner had even less time on the court in the 2025 season.
Kokkinakis’ shoulder injury limited him to four singles matches and one doubles match, but fortunately he has managed to recover to get back to the ATP Tour.
Who will win the 2026 Australian Open?
Both players had seasons to forget, but hope remains that they can shine on the court in 2026, beginning with Australia.
Australian Open fans will be crying out for a home winner, regardless of what format it arrives in, while there’s no doubt that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis bring a special energy to the game.
Their compatriot Ebden also fell victim to the pairing back at the 2022 Australian Open, when he and Max Purcell lost the final to their fellow Australians.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
