Novak Djokovic v Nick Kyrgios: How to watch ‘Arena Showdown’ ahead of 2023 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios will face off in a highly-anticipated charity match on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the 2023 Australian Open.

It will be the first meeting between the pair since their Wimbledon final last summer, which Djokovic won in four sets.

When is Djokovic v Kyrgios?

The ‘Arena Showdown’ between Djokovic and Kyrgios will be played on Friday, January 13.

The match is scheduled to start at 7.15am UK time.

How to watch Djokovic v Kyrgios live

You can also watch on Eurosport 1 – Sky channel 410, BT 435, Virgin 521 – Eurosport 2 – Sky 411, BT 436, Virgin 522 – the Eurosport App, and via Eurosport.co.uk.

Why are Djokovic and Kyrgios playing?

Djokovic and Kyrgios will use the contest as part of their preparation for the Australian Open, which starts on January 16.

All the proceeds from the ‘Arena Showdown’ will go to the Australia Tennis Foundation, which aims to help disadvantaged children and young people through tennis.

Djokovic is bidding for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title while Kyrgios is aiming for a deep run at his home Grand Slam after an impressive 2022 season.

The match will be played with officials, umpires and ball kids.

A number of other top players will also be fine-tuning their preparations against each other this week on Rod Laver Arena, including defending champion Rafael Nadal, Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari.

Djokovic will play two-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in a practice session on Wednesday, while Nadal is set to face Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday.

Alexander Zverev will play Dominic Thiem in a rematch of the 2020 US Open final on Thursday before Sabalenka meets Sakkari.

What’s the history between Djokovic and Nadal?

Djokovic and Nadal did not used to be on the best terms.

Kyrgios called Djokovic a “tool” ahead of the 2021 Australian Open when the former world No. 1 appeared to be lobbying for changes to players’ hotels during lockdown in Melbourne.

But last year, Kyrgios showed support for Djokovic during his 10-day visa saga in Australia that ultimately ended with him being deported from the country.

The two spoke warmly of each other around the Wimbledon final last summer and Kyrgios has even hinted on social media that they could play doubles together in the future.

“I wasn’t his favourite guy – let’s take it that way – for many years,” Djokovic said of Kyrgios recently.

“But he was one of the very few that stood by me last year, and I respect that and appreciate that. In those moments, you can actually see who truly supports you and who is by your side and who goes with the flow of the society and the pressures that the media puts on you.

“He was giving undivided support in the moments where I was being challenged a lot, and him as an Australian, I respected that a lot.

“Since then, our relationship has changed for the better.”

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