LORENZO MUSETTI VS. GIOVANNI MPETSHI PERRICARD | US OPEN 2025

 

NICK KYRGIOS MAKES RETURN FROM INJURY IN DOUBLES WIN WITH NOVAK DJOKOVIC IN BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL

 

Australia's Nick Kyrgios, left, talks with Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their doubles match against Alexander Erler of Austria and Andreas Mies of Germany in the Brisbane International, at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Australia. (Darren England/AAP Image via AP)

Nick Kyrgios marked his return from injury with an entertaining doubles victory alongside Novak Djokovic in the Brisbane International.

Kyrgios and Djokovic, who faced each other in the Wimbledon singles final in 2022, teamed up to defeat Austria's Alexander Erler and Germany's Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7 (4) 10-8, with Kyrgios sealing the win with an ace.

The 29-year-old, who had played just one match in more than two years due to injury, said in a courtside interview: "This injury has been brutal for me,so I wasn't taking any of this for granted.

"I don't know how many Aussie summers I've got left, so I was just looking around and loving the energy and just so happy to be back out here.

"We promised that we were going to do this one more time before either he [Djokovic] goes or I go, so I'm glad we're still alive!"

Kyrgios initially underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and returned to action in June of that year, but played only one match before pulling out of Wimbledon due to a torn ligament in his right wrist.

He had not played a competitive match since and it appeared doubtful that he would be able to return, but he is playing both doubles and singles in Brisbane and faces France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who produced a superb backhand winner around the net to help secure the only break of the match in the first set, said: "That was awesome.

"I want to thank Nick for playing. He said the other day it should be a pleasure to play with him and it is.

"I'm glad to share the court with him on his comeback. I haven't played that many doubles matches in my life, so whatever Nick was saying I was following.

"I feel great. Cannot ask for a better start to the season, sharing the court with Nick for the first time, winning the match and getting a little bit of a feel for the court.

"I played my last competitive tournament a few months ago, I ended my season quite early, just wanted to get my things together, physically recover and work really on perfecting my game as much as I can

"There's a lot of great players, really quick, dynamic, powerful players nowadays, youngsters that I have to keep up with."

- Phil Casey

DAVID GOFFIN SLAMS 'TOTAL DISRESPECT' FROM FRENCH OPEN FANS

David Goffin cupped his ear to the crowd as he was booed following his win

 PARIS -- David Goffin accused partisan fans at the French Open of "total disrespect" and said he was spat at by a spectator during his marathon first-round victory over local favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Fans can often turn the usually quiet Roland Garros courts into a wild arena when a French player needs backing, with the resulting atmosphere unmatched at the other three majors. Goffin, of Belgium, was subjected to the experience Tuesday afternoon.

On a raucous Court 14, Goffin kept his cool to defeat wild card Perricard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 before the former world No. 7 held his hand to his ears as he left the venue to loud jeers.

"When you are insulted for 3½ hours, you have to tease the public a little," Goffin told Belgian media. "Clearly, it goes too far, it's total disrespect. It's really too much. It's becoming football. Soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and fights in the stands. It's starting to become ridiculous. Some people are there more to cause trouble than to create an atmosphere.

"Someone spat out their chewing gum at me. [The match] was getting complicated. That's why I wanted to stay calm. If I started to get angry about it, it could have destabilized me."

Goffin urged the organizers of the year's second Grand Slam to take action.

"A lot of people are complaining. A lot of umpires feel that there is a lot of disrespect," Goffin said. "This is repeated a lot in the locker room and among the ATP authorities. We're going to have to do something about that.

"I think it only happens in France. At Wimbledon, obviously, there's not that. Or in Australia either. At the US Open, it's still rather quiet. Here, it's a really unhealthy atmosphere."

Tournament organizers said officials would ensure that fans follow the rules and respect players.

"The public are incredibly enthusiastic, particularly on the outside courts," they said in a statement. "However, they must of course show full respect to all players while doing so. Oversight bodies are in place to make sure rules are followed. Although it's only natural that fans share their excitement and cheer on their favorites, this may not in any case go against the values of tennis or consideration for the players."

Last year, Taylor Fritz got a reminder of how brutal the venue can be as persistent boos and whistles rained down from the Philippe Chatrier stands as the American shushed fans repeatedly after beating Arthur Rinderknech.

When the crowd pick on a player, it can become unsettling, as Martina Hingis found out during the 1999 title clash against Steffi Graf. Jeered by the fans after disputing a line call while up 6-4, 2-0, the Swiss player lost her composure and the match, only to be booed again after match point.

- Reuters