"Funny how things do a 360": Nick Kyrgios opens up about playing alongside Casper Ruud

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios opened up about sharing the court in the doubles category with Norway’s Casper Ruud. The 29-year-old shared the court with the three-time Grand Slam runner-up during an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

Kyrgios, in a post on his official account on the social media platform Instagram, opened up about playing in the tournament. The former world number 13 stated that it was a ‘pleasure’ playing alongside Norway’s tennis star. "Funny how things do a 360 - what we calling this duo @casperruud absolute pleasure playing alongside you,” he wrote. In response to that, Ruud responded by saying: “Fire & Ice".

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In the past, both players differed on a lot of points. Kyrgios recently admitted that the two did not enjoy a great relationship in the past, but things improved with time. "Also - Casper and I have had a lot of chats within the last couple years,” he said. “We were definitely on horrible terms but people grow up and change. As Casper said tonight as rivals we weren’t expecting it lol,"

Kyrgios is returning to the court after a gap of nearly two years because of fitness concerns. During that time, he missed all eight Grand Slams. Before getting injured, Kyrgios played in his first and, till now, only Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, where he lost to the former world number one Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–3).

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On the other hand, Ruud is coming into the 2025 season on the back of a mixed season where he played 69 matches, winning 46 and losing 23. His most impressive performance this season came in the Barcelona Open where he defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-3. His last appearance in 2024 season came in the ATP Finals where his journey came to an end in the semifinals after losing to reigning world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2.