MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia speak in the Men's Doubles First Round match against James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic of Australia during day five of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Former Australian Open champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are set to make a highly anticipated return to the court as a doubles team at the Brisbane International on Sunday. The duo will face fellow Australian Matt Ebden and American Rajeev Ram in a match that concludes the opening day’s play at Pat Rafter Arena. This event marks a significant comeback for both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, who have been sidelined by long-term injuries over the past season.
Kyrgios, reflecting on his recent form and mindset, expressed optimism about his return.
“I have been playing some great tennis of late. I personally feel better than I did a year ago,” Kyrgios said. “I think a lot of stress has kind of gone from my life type of thing. I just feel a lot better… I guess my goal is to leave Brisbane with a sense of, ‘That was a fun week, you gave everything you had, and whether you came up short or not, you gave a good show to the people’.”
The announcement comes as Kyrgios has been steadily regaining his competitive edge through exhibition events in New York and Dubai. He expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming summer tennis season.
“I’m pretty proud of myself the last month and I’m just really looking forward to going out there and competing at the highest level again,” he said. “It’s all a blessing at this point.”
Kasatkina’s Australian Debut and Vukic’s Challenge
Meanwhile, former world No.9 Daria Kasatkina is set to open the schedule at Pat Rafter Arena on Day 1 against Austria’s Anastasia Potapova. This match marks her first appearance on Australian soil as an Australian citizen. Having ended her previous season early due to physical and mental exhaustion, the 28-year-old is eager to begin anew in Brisbane.
Kasatkina shared her feelings about returning to competition.
“I obviously feel different this year, obviously nervous,” she said. “But, you know, coming here feels, always felt special, but this time extra special. I’m really looking forward to my first match, and, you know, going to now push triple compared to the last years, because now I have definitely more responsibility.”
In another exciting matchup, Australian Aleksandar Vukic will face former world No.10 Frances Tiafoe. Vukic, ranked 84th, gained attention for his resilience at last year’s Australian Open, where he played three consecutive five-set matches. The two players have met twice before, with each securing one victory.
Sabalenka and Badosa’s Reunion
Adding to the day’s excitement, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and former world No.2 Paula Badosa will reunite in doubles for the first time since 2022. They will compete against Liudmila Samsonova and Zhang Shuai in the second match at Pat Rafter Arena. Sabalenka and Badosa last teamed up at the Madrid Open, where they were defeated by Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the first round.
This development follows a series of strategic partnerships and team formations among top players, reflecting a broader trend in professional tennis where doubles play is increasingly seen as a valuable opportunity for players to hone their skills and gain competitive experience.
Implications for the Tennis Season Ahead
The return of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, along with the other high-profile matches scheduled for Day 1, underscores the Brisbane International’s role as a key event in the lead-up to the Australian Open. It offers players a platform to test their form and build momentum as the tennis season unfolds.
Experts suggest that the performances in Brisbane could set the tone for the rest of the season. With Kyrgios and Kokkinakis looking to recapture their championship form, and other players like Kasatkina and Vukic aiming to make their mark, the tournament promises to deliver compelling narratives and high-stakes competition.
As the tennis world watches these developments, the outcomes in Brisbane may influence player rankings, partnerships, and strategies moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how these early matches shape the trajectory of the 2024 tennis season.
