Tonight, Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic team up in a highly anticipated first-round doubles match at the Brisbane International.
The very thought of this would have been near impossible just a few years ago.
The pair’s relationship has had more ups and downs than a soap opera romance, but have they finally found happiness?
We look back at the rollercoaster that is the history of Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios.
Early respect
Before his Grand Slam debut at the French Open in 2013, Kyrgios had the opportunity to practice with Djokovic.
The then-18-year-old praised the Serbian star after the session.
"Novak moves so well and has so much time on the ball; it was a big eye opener for me just how quick he is, and you can tell he has worked hard at that, so maximum respect from me," he said.
"It’s a great sign of the man Novak is; that he was prepared to hit with me, as he could have had his pick from the draw."
Kyrgios would go on to some incredible results in subsequent years but also faced criticism for his behaviour.
Djokovic understood the situation and reached out to the young Aussie.
"I offered help, when everyone criticised him for his behaviour," he later said.
"In the sense that he could contact me if he needed anything because at the beginning of my career, I suffered a lot of criticism at my own expense and I went through [a] similar situation."
The fallout
Although tensions had been building, it was Kyrgios' comments in 2019 that set off a feud between the pair.
On Ben Rothenberg’s podcast, the Aussie criticised numerous players, but really went in after Novak.
"I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked. He just wants to be like Roger," he said.
"For me personally - I don’t care right now, I’ve come this far - I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him.
"This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like so cringeworthy. It’s very cringeworthy."
Underneath the comments, there was still some level of respect and he made an accurate prediction.
"He’s an unbelievable player, he’s a champion of the sport; one of the greatest we’ll ever see," Kyrgios admitted.
"I reckon he will get the Grand Slam count, I reckon he will overpass Federer.
“(But) we’re talking about a guy who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest for me."
Djokovic responded diplomatically to the comments.
"I really think he’s not really a bad guy," he said at the time.
"I do not know why he says all these things. Whether he wants to draw attention or there are some other reasons. He obviously wants to be honest, open, transparent, and that is part of his character."
But he did note Kyrgios' attitude was an issue for him.
"Does he show respect as most others do? No. It’s his own way of communication and relationships, but I really do not think he’s a bad guy."
2020 escalation
Things escalated further at the start of 2020 on the very court they will play together on tonight.
Djokovic was playing an ATP Cup doubles match when Kyrgios appeared in the crowd.
He and some friends watched the game and "trolled" Novak by over-celebrating his mistakes during the match.
A Serbian fan in the stands took to social media to describe the incident.
"This moron and his group of thug mates dressed in black turned up, sat in eye view of Nole and blatantly stood up and cheered and sniggered at Serbia’s errors. What an idiot!" the post said.
The pandemic fuelled the tension as vaccination-sceptic Djokovic held his own Adria Tour through the Balkans when the main tour shut down.
Kyrgios described it as "boneheaded" and that Djokovic and others took "zero ownership" and his leadership and humility "went missing".
He also labelled them a "bunch of albatrosses" which we’re guessing wasn’t a term of endearment.
To round out the COVID-infused feud, Kyrgios said that Djokovic was a "tool" for his demands to reduce quarantine requirements for players.
Nick stands up for Novak
The pandemic then made an unlikely unifier between the pair.
After Djokovic was detained at the Australian border in 2022, Kyrgios was one of the few voices to defend him.
"I'm feeling for him now. It's not really humane, is it, what's going on?" Kyrgios told reporters at the time.
"If this was a normal person, they wouldn't have to deal with this media side bullsh*t.
"But I feel like he's helped us, as well. During the bushfires he was supportive, he was helping us out. We're so quick to forget."
Following his support, Kyrgios revealed on his podcast that Djokovic reached out on Instagram to thank him for taking a stand.
"I was not the one he was expecting to go out in the media and have his back. As a human, he’s obviously feeling quite alienated in all of this," he said.
The pair would meet later at the Wimbledon final with some friendly banter on social media before their match.
Djokovic: "It took you five years to say something nice about me."
Kyrgios: "But I defended you when it mattered."
Djokovic: "You did, I appreciate that."
Kyrgios: "We friends now?"
Djokovic: "If you are inviting me for a drink or dinner, I accept. PS winner of tomorrow pays."
Kyrgios: "Deal, let’s go to a nightclub and go nuts."
Following another Grand Slam title for Djokovic, he confirmed the bromance in the on-court interview.
"It is tough to find consolation words at a moment like this, but you showed why you are one of the best players in the world," he said.
"I wish you all the best. I respect you a lot and you are a phenomenal talent.
"I never thought I would say so many nice things about you! OK, it's official: it is a bromance!"
They seal the deal
The pair have now taken their bromance to the next level - by playing doubles together.
Djokovic revealed the idea came together at Wimbledon last year.
"We practised several times as he was doing commentating, and we said, when you come back on the Tour, I said we should play doubles," he said.
"It should be fun. Nick is quite a character."
Will they live happily ever after?
Who knows, but knowing the history between the pair, anything is possible.
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