Author: Australian Associated Press

• Djokovic double fault at 8-6 disastrous for star pairing
• Kyrgios heads home to ponder Australian Open return

A fluent and upbeat Nick Kyrgios shrugged off the pain in his surgically repaired wrist as his Brisbane International comeback ended in a tight doubles loss.

The Australian fulfilled his promise to play alongside Novak Djokovic in the second-round men’s doubles after a taxing three-set loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday night. Such was the battering he took from the big-serving French star, Kyrgios had forecast a rough day for his serving arm and even suggested his scheduled Australian Open return later this month was in doubt.

• Mpetshi Perricard served 36 aces to Kyrgios’s 15 in three-set victory
• Australian backed up from doubles win alongside Novak Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios says he will “need a miracle” to contend for a grand slam title after an injury comeback loss that offered a sobering reality check.

The Australian could only shrug his shoulders as big-serving rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard left him with a “throbbing” wrist and crashed his comeback party in the Brisbane International first round on Tuesday.

• Australia defeated 2-1 despite de Minaur’s emphatic 6-1, 6-4 victory
• Australia next United Cup tie is against Great Britain on Tuesday

Australia only have to point to recent history to know not to be disheartened by their opening night 2-1 loss to Argentina in the United Cup.

Alex de Minaur notched the only victory against Argentina, the world No 9 putting on a devastating display to beat Tomas Etcheverry 6-1, 6-4 at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena in 75 minutes.

• Australian has accepted provisional suspension for anti-doping breach
• Thompson to play with Chris O’Connell at Brisbane International

The doping ban of Australia’s two-time doubles grand-slam winner Max Purcell has been described as “a joke” by his US Open-winning partner Jordan Thompson.

The 26-year-old Purcell was provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

• Australian doubles star accepts provisional suspension
• ITIA yet to specify length of ban or any details of breach

Australian tennis player Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of the sport’s anti-doping program.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that the two-time doubles grand slam winner had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

• 16-year-old is one of Australia’s most highly rated juniors
• Bernard Tomic also among local players given wildcards

Cruz Hewitt, the teenage son of tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, has received a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament as he pushes for a grand slam debut. Hewitt, 16, will attempt to reach the main draw for the first time 28 years after his father debuted at Melbourne Park as a 15-year-old.

The junior world No 107 debuted in the junior competition last year and was knocked out in the first round. One of Australia’s most highly rated juniors, Hewitt is expected to feature in the junior tournament again but will look to step up his transition to senior tennis in 2025.

• Former bitter rivals are now firm friends
• Kyrgios has played just one ATP match since 2022 US Open

Nick Kyrgios will team up with Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International after crediting the former world No1 for motivating his return from serious injury. Once bitter rivals but now firm friends, Kyrgios and Djokovic plan to play doubles at the Queensland tournament, which gets under way on 29 December.

The pair will use the event to warm up for next month’s Australian Open, with Kyrgios using an injury-protected ranking to secure a direct entry at Melbourne Park. The Australian posted the announcement on Instagram, using a photo of himself and Djokovic walking on to court ahead for their 2022 Wimbledon final which he lost in four sets, writing “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there”.