Novak Djokovic calls in big guns Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios for Australian Open charity match

Australian Open king Novak Djokovic will enlist the services of some of the game’s greatest athletes as he holds court at Melbourne Park next week.

Australian Open king Novak Djokovic will enlist the services of some of our greatest athletes as he holds court at Melbourne Park in aid of charity next week.

Olympic champion Djokovic has asked organisers for a gold medal theme to his January 9 charity fundraiser on Rod Laver Arena, as part of AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun.

Djokovic’s new coach Andy Murray — a dual Olympic Gold Medallist — will return to the court as part of the event.

Aussie comeback sensation Nick Kyrgios will also hit centre court with 10-time AO winner Djokovic, after teaming with the tennis great in doubles at the Brisbane International this week.

Djokovic’s new coach Andy Murray will return to the court as part of the event. Picture: AFP

Novak Djokovic will hit the court with Nick Kyrgios as part of the AO charity showdown. Picture: Getty Images

Paris Olympic Gold Medallist Qinwen Zheng and Paralympic gold medallist Tokito Oda will take part in the event.

And, the Herald Sun can reveal, Djokovic will invite past and present Olympic heroes from other sports to hit the court, in a nod to green and gold sporting history and his own gold medal feat at the Paris Games.

In an exclusive interview, Djokovic told the Herald Sun fans should expect sporting royalty but was tight lipped about who he would hand a racquet to.

“That is a surprise,’ he said.

“We’ve got some good ideas, I think, and we have a really good line up of champions but that is all I’m going to share.

“I’m not going to drop any names but I look forward to it.’’

Athletes from last year’s Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Games are tipped to face off against Djokovic during “A Night With Novak”, which is close to a sell out.

Atlanta Olympic Gold Medallist Todd Woodbridge will lead a chat with Olympians post match, with sporting greats in the stands also part of the action.

Djokovic said fans would be treated to a fun focused sporting showcase.

“We are going to play some tennis but there is going to be some music and different things,’’ he said.

“All for a good cause.’’

Aus Open king Novak Djokovic will enlist some of the game’s greatest athletes for his charity match next week. Picture: Getty Images

It is one of several charity matches where fans can get up close to the world’s best players for as little as $30 for adults and $25 for kids next week. AO Opening Week ground passes cost just $15 for adults and $10 for kids.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner will take on rising Aussie ace Alexei Popyrin on January 7.

It will be reigning AO and US Open champion Sinner’s first appearance on Rod Laver Arena since lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup last January.

Australian world No.7 Alex de Minaur will take on reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz on January 8.

Spanish star Alcaraz will play Popyrin, who defeated Djokovic at the last US Open, and Sinner squares off against AO finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas on January 10.

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Originally published as Novak Djokovic calls in big guns Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios for Australian Open charity match