Novak Djokovic has been told that his impending doubles partnership with Nick Kyrgios “validates” the Australian’s controversial comments concerning Jannik Sinner.

World No 7 Djokovic will start his 2025 season at the Brisbane International where, alongside his singles campaign, he will play doubles alongside Kyrgios.

Former world No 13 Kyrgios is making his return to action after 18 months out and has received entry into both the singles and doubles partnership.

Djokovic and the Australian formerly shared a frosty relationship but a friendship has grown between the two in recent years, and their pairing in Brisbane will be one of the biggest talking points of the week.

Never one to mince his words, Kyrgios has been among the most outspoken critics of world No 1 Sinner in recent months.

The Italian was found to be of “no fault” and handed no suspension after twice testing positive for clostebol back in March 2024, with Kyrgios among those calling for further repercussions.

Speaking to OA, former ATP player Guido Monaco – now one of Italy’s leading tennis commentators – called on people to “ignore” the Australian’s comments.

And he also claimed that Djokovic’s decision to play with the 29-year-old “corroborates” and “validates” Kyrgios’ repeated criticism.

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“We have to ignore what Kyrgios says,” said Monaco.

“His statements were heard by Djokovic who, by deciding to have this relationship with him by playing doubles with him, corroborates Kyrgios’ point of view on Sinner: it’s like saying that he validates what Kyrgios thinks.

“This relationship that he continues to maintain after the statements of Kyrgios, who is a negative character for tennis, bothers me.

“I am for ignoring Kyrgios. If there has to be this match, Sinner will treat him like a normal opponent and we should do the same by ignoring a person who has always spat on tennis.

“Let’s treat him for what he is: a problematic guy who has done more harm than good to the world of tennis, let’s not give him the weight that he doesn’t have on such important issues, we have to talk less about him because otherwise, we are playing into his hands.”

Djokovic is set to be the top seed in the men’s singles event in Brisbane, with the Serbian looking to win a historic 100th career singles title.

Meanwhile, Kyrgios will be playing his first ATP-level event since the Stuttgart Open in June 2023, having recovered from multiple injury struggles across the past two seasons.

Sinner will not be in action before the Australian Open, where the Italian will look to defend the title he won for the first time in 2024.

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