Practising with the enemy: Nick Kyrgios spotted with Frances Tiafoe's conqueror after DC Open doubles withdrawal
ATP
Nick Kyrgios was supposed to lineup alongside Frances Tiafoe in the doubles of the DC Open, but his American partner pulled out due to a wrist problem following his opening round defeat to Terence Atmane in the singles competition. The next day, Kyrgios is spotted on court with the Frenchman practising despite the recent events.
Tiafoe had already reached two finals in 2026, most recently coming out on top in the Halle Open against fellow countryman Taylor Fritz. He made the trip back to home soil determined to add another to his collection in the form of a first title at the DC Open.
Instead, he was dealt a double blow with a painful loss to Atmane. After winning the first set, it seemed to be going well for the sixth seed who had the backing from the crowd.
However, it would all go wrong with the 2025 Cincinnati Open semi-finalist prevailing after winning the next two sets, getting the job done in just over two hours. Following what was a very deflated Tiafoe post match conference, the news came out that both him and Kyrgios would not participate in the doubles.
The pair were set to bring a fresh wave of life to court with their entertaining and flamboyant styles set to please and thrill the audience with the DC Open organisers heavily relying on them to boost the doubles event. Ariel Behar and Anirudh Chandrasekar replace them as lucky losers.
Nick Kyrgios was left without a partner for the DC Open men's doubles competition
Kyrgios takes to court with Atmane
The next day, Kyrgios was seen on the court with Tiafoe's foe, Atmane. Just hours after his teammate had lost to him, he was enduring a practise session with the 24-year-old the other side of the net.
This has caused many tennis fans to look on slightly perplexed, something that Kyrgios has traditionally done throughout his time in the spotlight in tennis.
The video showed the former Wimbledon finalist hitting numerous backhands to Atmane, even utilising a one-handed approach in the second half of the rally. While he may not be competing, he is still continuing to keep fresh on court with a possible return to action halted for the time being.
Nick Kyrgios was supposed to play doubles tonight with Frances Tiafoe put the pair withdrew.
— Christian's Court (@christianscourt) July 28, 2026
He’s currently practicing with Terence Atmane, the man who beat Tiafoe in singles last night. pic.twitter.com/3ysUXHQYNt
With his injury problems, Kyrgios has been a seldom figure on court over the past few years. His enigmatic-like nature along with plenty of ups and downs in his career has made him a well-known figure on the ATP Tour.
His time may be soon running out with him even admitting that his most recent Wimbledon campaign with Alexander Bublik may be his last at SW19. The future is shrouded with mystery for the 31-year-old who will hope to be back on the court soon, although unlikely to be in the North American hardcourt swing depending on Tiafoe's injury.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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