Bad boys or just a pair of jokers? Novak and Nick do it for charity

Once enemies, they struck up unlikely friendship during darkest hours of nine-time Australian Open champion’s career.

Novak Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final - a fitting reunion following the Australian’s unlikely support for the Serb during his visa saga.

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley stood up and said: “We’re going to have an arena extravaganza on Friday night at 6.30. Novak against Nick.”

No surnames required. No on-court introductions will be necessary when Novak and Nick have a hit for charity at Rod Laver Arena on Friday evening.

Just in case tennis isn’t your cup of tea, Tiley was talking about a bloke called Djokovic and his mate with the surname of Kyrgios – two Australian Open drawcards who will be raising funds for the Australian Tennis Foundation, which helps disadvantaged children through the sport.

Novak and Nick. Their first encounter since the Wimbledon final of last year. It’ll be quite the enjoyable occasion.

The score will start at love-all and stay there. Because it’s been a big turnaround between these two. They’ve gone from being sworn enemies to bosom buddies ahead of what will be Novak’s first match (of sorts) at Melbourne Park since his deportation saga last year.

It will be Nick’s first match (of sorts) of the summer. Given it’s for charity, he may actually turn up for this one.

Novak Djokovic is chasing a 10th Aus Open title in Melbourne - an opportunity dramatically taken from him due to his vaccination status last year.

Nick is yet to be sighted less than a week from the Open. He withdrew from Australia’s United Cup team and then accused captain Lleyton Hewitt of throwing him “under the bus”.

He was entered in the first Adelaide International event, but withdrew. He entered the second Adelaide International but pulled the pin on that one, too. A high-­profile fixture with the nine-time Open champion in front of a guaranteed sellout crowd and a bumper TV audience is certain to get him to this ­particular game on time.

Novak, meanwhile, is looking as per normal. Ominous.

He warmed up for the Open by winning the Adelaide International on Sunday.

“He really enjoyed the experience in South Australia and he was welcomed … he loved it there,” Tiley said.

“I love that our fans are sporting fans and are among the most educated and appreciate greatness. They appreciate players like Novak that have won this event nine times. Novak is back and I’m pretty confident that the Melbourne fans – similar to the experience he had in Adelaide – will be just as good.”

Novak and Nick. Until a year ago, they’d have been more likely to go 12 rounds in a boxing ring. Kyrgios once said Djokovic had “a sick obsession with wanting to be liked … I just can’t stand him … so cringe-worthy”.

Kyrgios is fresh off the best year of his tennis career, and faces a crossroads as he moves towards his 30th birthday.

Then Nick was one of the few players who supported the Serb when he was shut out of the Open a year ago because of his vaccination status. Novak said he appreciated Nick’s support and all animosity was in the past, as he joked about a “bromance” with his ex-foe. Their Wimbledon final ended with a warm ­embrace at the net and an invitation from Nick for Novak to join him at a nightclub.

Tickets for Friday night’s event go on sale on Tuesday. At $20 a head, they’ll be snapped up in no time. Novak and Nick will play hard but banter and showmanship and their unlikely bromance will be there for all to see. It’s the first time they’ve shared a court since Novak’s Wimbledon triumph.

He arrived in Melbourne on Monday after claiming his 92nd ATP Tour title in Adelaide. Spanish veteran Rafael Nadal is the Open’s top seed but Novak is clearly the man to beat.

“No one is invincible,” Novak said.