Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas play doubles together in Diriyah five months after bitter Wimbledon row

Rivals Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas played doubles together at the Diriyah Tennis Cup – although not by choice.

The pair were automatically paired together after they both lost their opening singles matches at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their checkered history, they fell 7-6(3) 7-6(3) to Hubert Hurkacz and Dominic Stricker, although there were flashes of brilliance from both players.

Kyrgios and Tsitsipas have had a fractious relationship which came to a head at Wimbledon this year.

The pair were slated to meet in the singles semi-finals but both lost to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets.

“At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me,” he said.

“I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures – you know, I feel I put myself in that position – so it’s an easy one for me.

“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well.

“[That] doesn’t really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete.”

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