Djokovic and Kyrgios raise curtain on season of change

The Serb has struck unlikely alliances in push for renewed success, but others hope to master a shifting landscape

- Tumaini Carayol

Novak Djokovic did not waste any time in producing a moment of magic. Flitting left of the tramlines in the first set of his 21st season as a professional, he bent a backhand slice between the net post and umpire's chair for a spectacular, untouchable winner. It was the type of athleticism, resourcefulness and shotmaking that has made him the most successful player of all time.

As a full, ebullient crowd under the lights at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane responded, Djokovic's celebration was even more unusual than the shot: the Serb sprinted across the court to embrace none other than Nick Kyrgios. For a long time, Djokovic and Kyrgios were only mentioned together when the Australian had fired another public, unprovoked insult towards him, yet here they stood as doubles partners on the same side of the net.

This was an appetiser for a new season that, in one way or another, will be defined by how Djokovic performs. In 2024 he watched his last remaining great rivals, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, retire while his season was a complicated concoction of triumph and doubt. While Djokovic produced a legendary performance to seal an elusive Olympic gold medal, showing that he is still capable of performing at the highest level, the 37-year-old spent the rest of the year chasing shadows. It was the first time since 2006, when he won his first two titles, that Djokovic failed to claim multiple titles in a season.