Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis made their long-awaited returns from injury at the Brisbane International.
The Aussie pair were successful on their return to action, as Kyrgios and Kokkinakis won their opening doubles match in Brisbane.
Trailing by a set to love against Rajeev Ram and Matthew Ebden, the ‘Special Ks’ fought back to win 5-7, 6-4, [10-8].
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During their post-match press conference, Kyrgios was asked whether he finds it easier to be an ‘entertainer’ in doubles than he does in singles.
Nick Kyrgios says he does ‘stupid things’ in singles and doubles
“Yeah, definitely,” said Kyrgios.
“I feel like at this point in my career, even on the singles court, I do stupid things, and I kind of do whatever I feel like doing.
“Doubles court kind of gives me a bit more of a show to put on.”
That’s not to say Kyrgios doesn’t want to win matches, though.
“I feel like when we play our best doubles is when we actually find our balance,” he said.
“Not taking it too seriously, but also just locking in in certain moments.
“We are enjoying it. We had so much fun. I had so much fun out there tonight, and it was an incredibly high level.
“I don’t know. I feel like, yeah, I just feel like no one else does as stupid things as me on the court. So that’s what I add, really.”
Kyrgios’ doubles partner Kokkinakis was then asked if he ‘feeds off’ that.
“Yeah, we’re very different,” he said.
“Sometimes I don’t know what he’s going to do, and that’s a balance you have to find from my position.
“I have to focus on myself and know when to rein him in a little bit, but that’s what makes him so good, is when he has that flair and has that little bit of fun. The opponents don’t know what’s coming.
“I think the crowd feeds off that. My energy gets better.
“When we go on a roll, sort of the back end of the second set and super-tiebreak, that’s when we play our best.
“We were maybe a little bit flat at the start, didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know what to expect, but as it got going, we found that momentum. That’s the fun we have always had on court.”
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios will return to play their second-round doubles match against Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul on Wednesday, January 7.
Kyrgios has a job to do in singles first, as he looks to pick up his first win since March 2025.
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Receiving a wild card into the singles competition, Kyrgios will play Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round.
Kovacevic enjoyed a strong season in 2025, reaching two tour-level finals, finishing the year ranked 60th in the world.
If Kyrgios were to advance past Kovacevic, he’d meet either Ugo Humbert or Cameron Norrie in the second round.
Both players impressed at times last year and would certainly challenge Kyrgios as he looks to build fitness ahead of the Australian Open.
It is, however, still unclear whether we will even see Kyrgios play at this year’s Australian Open.
Before the Brisbane International began, Kyrgios said he didn’t want to take a wild card from someone more deserving.
“I don’t want to be that player that takes opportunities away from young people that have been really working towards this moment of having a wildcard,” he said.
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If Kyrgios does miss the Australian Open, it would mean he’s only played one of the last 13 Grand Slam events.
Nick Kyrgios’ Grand Slam absences
- 2022 US Open – Lost in QF
- 2023 Australian Open – Did not play
- 2023 French Open – Did not play
- 2023 Wimbledon – Did not play
- 2023 US Open – Did not play
- 2024 Australian Open – Did not play
- 2024 French Open – Did not play
- 2024 Wimbledon – Did not play
- 2024 US Open – Did not play
- 2025 Australian Open – Lost in 1R
- 2025 French Open – Did not play
- 2025 Wimbledon – Did not play
- 2025 US Open – Did not play
- 2025 Australian Open – TBD
Only time will tell if Kyrgios will play the Australian Open, but the signs don’t look promising…
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