Brisbane International is off and running. Among the spectacular action tennis fans are enjoying is stellar doubles matchups.
Two of those high profile doubles teams with their own nicknames earned wins in their first round matches.
1. Nick Kygrios And Thanasi Kokkinakis aka “Special Ks”
Kyrgios played in last week’s “Battle of the Sexes,” but his Australian compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis has been dealing with injuries that sidelined him for most of 2025.
The 2022 Australian Open champions reunited on court and resumed their winning ways.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios have both dealt with chronic injuries in recent years, but both have been Brisbane International champions in the past. Kyrgios won the singles title in 2018, and Kokkinakis (with Jordan Thompson) won the doubles title in 2017.
The 2022 Australian Open champions will have the hometown fans completely on their side as they advance to the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
2. Aryna Sabalenka And Paula Badosa aka “Sabadosa”
BFFs Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa showed that they are a good team on and off the court. Sabalenka is a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion (with Elise Mertens), and Badosa is seeking her first career doubles title.
The joy, laughter, and upbeat body language the two brought to the court made them even more fun to watch.
We don’t think Sabalenka, the defending Brisbane singles champion, will immerse herself in doubles more than just an occasional foray like this so fans should enjoy watching her in this capacity any time they can.
Sabadosa will play a quarterfinal match on Tuesday.
Watch the ATP 250 and WTA 500 Brisbane International on the Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel app now through January 11, 2026.
