As the summer sun shines intensely over the hard courts of Washington D.C., the Citi Open unfolds with all its usual excitement, attracting some of the world’s most charismatic and talented tennis players. Among them, the pairing of Nick Kyrgios, the mercurial Australian known for his electrifying shot-making and sometimes unpredictable temperament, and Gaël Monfils, the French athlete celebrated for his acrobatic style and infectious on-court energy, has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. This unlikely alliance in the doubles draw promises a blend of flair, power, and unpredictability, adding a fresh dynamic to the tournament’s doubles competition.
Nick Kyrgios, despite his reputation primarily as a singles contender, boasts a surprisingly impressive doubles résumé. His ability to dominate points with his powerful serve and creative shot selection has made him a formidable doubles partner. Over the years, Kyrgios has enjoyed successful stints with a variety of players, but one of his most celebrated partnerships was with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. Their bond extended beyond the court, rooted in longstanding friendship, which often translated into seamless teamwork. The pinnacle of their collaboration came at the 2022 Australian Open when they triumphed in the men’s doubles title, capturing the hearts of home fans and writing a joyful chapter in Australian tennis lore.
Their journey to that Grand Slam title was a testament to resilience and chemistry. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis navigated tough opponents with an aggressive style that combined Kyrgios’ blistering serves and unpredictable tactics with Kokkinakis’ versatile groundstrokes and sharp net play. This victory marked a significant moment in both their careers, spotlighting doubles tennis in Australia at a time when singles dominances often overshadow the discipline. However, while the partnership delivered moments of brilliance, it was not without its challenges. Prior to their Grand Slam win, their performances were inconsistent, and most recently, they suffered an early exit in the first round of the same event, highlighting the ebb and flow common in doubles team dynamics.
Gaël Monfils, meanwhile, has carved out a distinct identity in tennis with his blend of speed, athleticism, and an entertainer’s panache. Though better known for his singles prowess—having reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6 and progressing to the semifinals of multiple Grand Slam events—Monfils has also ventured into doubles with notable success. His agility and quick reflexes make him an excellent net player, and his experience across various ATP tournaments adds strategic depth to any doubles partnership. Historically, Monfils has paired with a range of partners, including Jack Sock, with whom Kyrgios also shares a history.
Jack Sock, the American known for his exceptional doubles skills and Olympic gold medal in doubles (2016 Rio Games), has been somewhat of a common denominator for both Kyrgios and Monfils. Sock teamed with Kyrgios to win the 2018 Washington Open, a title that boosted Kyrgios’ confidence in doubles play. Additionally, Monfils found success partnering with Sock at the 2018 Lyon Open. These intersecting partnerships reveal a small but tightly-knit network of ATP doubles specialists and singles stars experimenting with teamwork in the doubles realm.
The Washington Open, known officially as the Citi Open since 2012, has a rich tennis heritage dating back to 1969, making it one of the longest-running professional tennis tournaments in the U.S. The event holds special significance as a lead-up to the US Open, attracting top-ranked players eager to fine-tune their games on hard courts in the late summer heat. Many greats, from Jimmy Connors to Venus Williams, have etched their names on its trophy, making it a prestigious stop on the ATP and WTA tours.
The decision by Kyrgios and Monfils to join forces in the doubles draw this year adds a refreshing narrative to the tournament. Both players thrive on crowd engagement and have building blocks for strong on-court rapport—both are known for their charismatic personalities and unorthodox styles, which could unsettle more traditional doubles pairs. Their collaboration is more than just an experiment; it represents a strategic attempt to harness their complementary skill sets. Kyrgios’ heavy and precise serving paired with Monfils’ kinetic court coverage could pose significant challenges to opponents, especially in the fast-paced dynamics of doubles tennis.
Historically, doubles tennis has often been overshadowed by singles tennis, but partnerships like Kyrgios-Monfils shine a spotlight on the discipline’s unique excitement. Doubles demands teamwork, intuition, and strategic positioning, differing greatly from singles in pace and tactics. The chemistry between partners can manifest as dazzling volley exchanges and quick reflex volleys that captivate audiences in shorter bursts than the grueling rallies typical of singles play.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on this intriguing pairing to see whether they can blend Kyrgios’ raw power and Monfils’ agility into a winning formula. Beyond the immediate goal of claiming the Washington Open doubles crown, this partnership might signal a renewed focus by both players on doubles, an area often reserved for specialists or singles players seeking additional match play.
In a broader sense, their partnership reflects tennis’s evolving landscape, where crossover between singles and doubles can lead to memorable moments and bring additional excitement to the sport. Fans will be watching closely, hoping the Ace of Doubles lives up to its billing. Whatever happens, Kyrgios and Monfils teaming up at the Citi Open is a reminder that tennis thrives not only on competition but also on the charisma and collaboration that make the sport endlessly fascinating.