Nick Kyrgios reveals the one player who would be his doubles partner ‘priority’ ahead of Novak Djokovic

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Nick Kyrgios is set to make his long-awaited return to tennis very shortly, having been sidelined with injury for some time.

Kyrgios will aim to play later this year, having last taken to the court competitively at the Stuttgart Open in summer 2023.

Confident as ever, Kyrgios recently teased a return to competitive action, having been struggling with wrist and knee injuries.

But those struggles could now be put behind him, with the former world number 13 certain to cause quite the conversation when he finally makes his comeback.

The outspoken Australian certainly doesn’t please everyone in tennis, with many fans and indeed opponents often not seeing eye-to-eye with Kyrgios.

Nick Kyrgios makes Novak Djokovic doubles claim

Novak Djokovic was seemingly once in that camp, but the pair looked to have put their differences aside, with Djokovic and Kyrgios training together at Wimbledon.

And Kyrgios has now confirmed that he would be willing to compete in doubles with the Serbian, although his first-choice partner would be compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios was asked by a fan in a Q&A on his Instagram story: “Next year doubles with Novak?” He replied: “Kokki will get first priority but I’m down.”

Nick Kyrgios hoping to join current Australian stars on tour

Kokkinakis was only just involved in the Laver Cup for Team World, although he was barely relied upon in Berlin.

The Australian star was handed just one appearance by captain John McEnroe, losing in straight sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas on day one.

That clash came immediately after Kokkinakis defeated the Greek 11th seed in the first round of the US Open.

Djokovic meanwhile lost to another Australian in Alexei Popyrin, with the latter knocking the former out in the third round in New York.

The Serbian has since moved on to Davis Cup and Shanghai Masters action, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion currently seeking a record-extending five Shanghai titles.

Kyrgios knows all about the strength and determination of Djokovic, having lost to him in the 2022 Wimbledon final.