Nick Kyrgios is making the most of the American hard-court swing, taking the opportunity to play some doubles with Gael Monfils.
Kyrgios has struggled with injury since reaching the final of Wimbledon in 2022, and has since taken up a number of punditry roles for the likes of the BBC, talkSport and TNT Sports.
However, the Australian star is set to return to the court this week, playing with his ‘good friend’ Gael Monfils at the Washington Open.
The pairing is sure to result in amazing entertainment for the crowd, with both players known for their athletic capabilities and hard-hitting.
Ahead of the tournament, Kyrgios spoke to Tennis TV, claiming that he is ‘very nervous’ about playing with Monfils.
Nick Kyrgios is nervous about playing with Gael Monfils because they are ‘two kids’
Speaking to Tennis TV, Kyrgios said: I’ve obviously missed playing, I’m a competitor at heart and just to be back here and playing with my good friend Gael as well. [It’s] funny that we’ve never actually played doubles together, which is strange.
“I’m very nervous to see how it goes, to be honest. I don’t know how our focus is going to be, but let’s see how it goes.”
The interviewer asked: “What makes you nervous about it? “
“Well, together we’re two kids, we’ve always been some kids but when we’re together we play a lot of video games together and he was one guy I’ve been extremely close to my entire career.
“It’ll be a bit of fun.”
The pair have played each other twice in singles during their careers. Monfils won their first encounter at the Davis Cup in 2014, the Frenchman winning 7-6 6-4.
However, Kyrgios got his revenge in 2016, beating Monfils 6-4 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Open; a tournament Kyrgios went on to win.
Who are their first-round opponents?
Kyrgios and Monfils might have hoped for a comfortable draw to ease them into the competition. However, luck was not on their side when the Washington Open Men’s Doubles draw was made.
The pair face third seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Roger-Vasselin has won two men’s doubles Grand Slams and two mixed doubles majors, and also reached the final of Wimbledon in 2017 in tandem with Nicholas Mahut, before losing in five sets to Juan Cabal and Robert Farah.
If Kyrgios and Monfils emerge victorious, they could set up a meeting with American superstars Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. Kyrgios recently named Tiafoe as a player he thinks is ‘underachieving’ on the ATP Tour.
The Americans face a tough test against Olympic gold medallists John Peers and Matthew Ebden.
