Nick Kyrgios is well-known for his fiery personality, and he’s ready to make a splash in the 2025 season after a long injury hiatus. Following knee surgery from an injury sustained at the 2023 Australian Open, he hasn’t played since the Stuttgart Open in June 2023. Eager to impress, Kyrgios qualified for the Australian Open 2025 using a protective ranking. But while he was away from action, he stayed connected to tennis through commentary and social media.

Earlier today Kyrgios’ rivalry with Casper Ruud resurfaced on social media. Kyrgios famously hurled a chair during their clash at the Rome Open in 2019, prompting Ruud to label him an “idiot” and suggest a six-month timeout. In classic Kyrgios fashion, he retorted that he would “rather watch paint dry than” see Ruud play tennis.

In an unexpected twist, Kyrgios and Ruud are now teammates at the 2024 World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi. A recent post about it featuring Nick Kyrgios and Casper Ruud together sparked a snide comment from a fan, who remarked, “Kyrgios is 100% one of those guys who trash talks someone online and then sees them in person and immediately backs down.”

Kyrgios didn’t hold back, as he responded to the post saying, “Casper and I have had a lot of chats within the last couple years. We were definitely on horrible terms but people grow up and change. As Casper said tonight as rivals we weren’t expecting it lol.” He humorously jabbed at the fan’s profile picture, suggesting they should “change immediately.”

After their victorious debut at the World Tennis League, where they defeated Jordan Thompson and Sumit Nagal on the Hawks’ Team, Kyrgios cheekily declared on social media, “Funny how things do a 360 🤷🏽‍♂️,” while tagging Casper Ruud and calling their partnership an “absolute pleasure.” Ruud came back with a fitting nickname for their dynamic duo: “Fire & Ice!!” but this wasn’t the only exchange between the two players.

Kyrgios and Ruud share a hilarious moment on the court

Nick Kyrgios and Casper Ruud recently traded their fierce rivalry for some lighthearted fun at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi. The duo engaged in a quirky game where they tossed balls into cups, with Ruud initially taking the lead while Kyrgios fumbled his second attempt, exclaiming, “OMG I’m chopped!” in a video shared on social media. As the Aussie attempted to distract Ruud with playful shouts, he resorted to some cheeky tactics, even tossing a cup off the table to throw his opponent off balance—hilarious antics that Kyrgios later dubbed “I got chopped lol” on his Instagram.

Despite their history of tension, including past criticisms and on-court clashes, these two seem to have buried the hatchet. During the 2024 US Open, Kyrgios praised Ruud’s game on X, stating, “Ruud going under the radar… I really enjoy watching his tennis. Real talk.” Their newfound camaraderie was evident as they celebrated their doubles victory over Jordan Thompson and Sumit Nagal together.

Looking ahead, Kyrgios is gearing up for a big comeback in 2025 and will be teaming up with Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International. Fans are buzzing about this unexpected alliance and what it might mean for Kyrgios’s return to form after a long hiatus from Grand Slam events. Will this unlikely pairing help him regain his competitive edge? Only time will tell!