Pat Rafter has hailed Novak Djokovic’s decision to play in the “fair dinkum” Brisbane International to prepare for the Australian Open rather than chase more money elsewhere around the world.

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The burgeoning sporting bromance between Djokovic and Australian star Nick Kyrgios will be rekindled in Queensland, with the 24-time grand slam champion locked in to play the December 29-January 5 Brisbane International.

Kyrgios had earlier confirmed he would begin his comeback from a raft of injury issues in Brisbane, with Djokovic now confirmed to join him at the Queensland Tennis Centre as the former world No.1 chases his 100th singles tournament win and ramps up his quest for a record 25th grand slam title at next month’s Australian Open in January.

“I’m excited to be kicking off my Australian swing at the Brisbane International and to compete again at Pat Rafter Arena,” Djokovic said.

“I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible support from the Australian fans and making this tournament one to remember.”

Djokovic joins a Brisbane field featuring Kyrgios, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini, Sebastian Korda, Gael Monfils, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.

“This is not just preparation for the Australian Open – this is a fair dinkum tournament,” Australian tennis great Rafter said.

“You want to be making sure you’re playing your best tennis here. To be here and preparing is what you should be doing.

“A lot of guys go and chase some money, go to the Middle East or something like that, to play but for me, that’s not the best lead in for the Australian Open.

“It’s about winning, preparing, playing the best matches, and as many matches as you can. “That’s all part of your journey to the Aussie Open.”

Djokovic failed to win a major in 2024, the first time since 2017 he has not saluted in a grand slam, and the 37-year-old, now ranked seventh in the world, has recently enlisted the services of retired English star Andy Murray as his new coach.

The Serbian star, whose most recent trip t Brisbane was for the 2020 United Cup as part of Serbia’s team, is one trophy away from surpassing Australian legend Margaret Court’s joint record of 24 grand slam singles crowns.

Brisbane International tournament director Cam Pearson said Djokovic realised that the Brisbane tournament was his “best pathway to start the season and into the Australian Open”.

“He’s been here before, (and) he knows what to expect,” Pearson said.

“He’s played on this court (Pat Rafter Arena) a few times … it was probably an easy decision for him to make.

“We had Roger (Federer) for a number of years, then Rafa (Nadal), and now Novak again.

“We’ve been incredibly blessed here in Brisbane to have the three ‘GOATS’, and you could argue that Novak is the ‘GOAT’ on his own.

“Stats boffins among us will remember Roger won his 1000th ATP tour singles match on this court. What a fairytale it would be if Novak won his 100th title on the same court.”

Pearson said Brisbane International’s men’s and women fields were “by far the strongest” in the tournament’s history.

The women’s event is headlined by world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and includes three other top-10 players – Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro and Daria Kasatkina.