AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2026

Leylah Fernandez

Nick Kyrgios

Press Conference

FERNANDEZ-KYRGIOS/Krawczyk-Skupski

6-7, 6-4, 12-10

THE MODERATOR: Leylah and Nick, congrats. How much fun did you have out there, and what were your thoughts at 9-6 down in the match tiebreak?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I'm going first. Yeah, I had a lot of fun out there. I feel like every point we always had a smile afterwards. There wasn't a negative energy on court.

We were down 9-6, and I feel like Nick was the most positive guy there, saying, We'll get these next two. Then 8-7 --

NICK KYRGIOS: 9-8, 9-8.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, 9-8. Sorry, 9-8 you told me, You're made for this moment. I just started believing. I'm like, yeah, I am. It was just a lot of fun. Nick brought the great energy, and also the crowd.

THE MODERATOR: Nick?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I mean, look, like, I have played a lot of matches at the AO, and I guess at this part of my career, I don't take any match for granted, even if it's doubles like last night or mixed. That was some of the craziest energy that I've had.

I mean, like, I have obviously played some amazing matches at AO, but that's got to be one of my favorite ones. Like, 9-6 down, 7-3, obviously we're thinking -- realistically, tennis players, you don't always believe you can come back. But I was like, Look, if we're just one at a time, maybe we can do it.

Yeah, and the crowd just, yeah, they were amazing all day, all night. They stayed, hung around. It was amazing.

I'm really excited for our next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you talk about how this partnership came about and what you both like playing with each other?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: It was funny. I think it was, what, Brisbane?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, it was Brisbane. I remember the night before, my dad and I were talking, and we said, Wouldn't it be cool if Nick and I, we played doubles together? We were just talking like that, as jokingly a little bit. And I feel like my dad took the initiative and went up to Nick before your practice?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, yeah.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Or match? Brought up the question. Nick was nice enough to say, yes. I immediately sent the message, and it was just kind of started off that way, but it was great. Great that it worked out.

Q. The noise in the match tiebreak was incredible. Just describe playing with Nick at his home Grand Slam and what that entails.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: It was a lot of fun. My goodness, I keep hearing how the crowd here in the AO is very rowdy, it's a party, and, you know, finally I have the chance to experience it, and I also get the chance to kind of compare it to the US Open. It's just very electric.

I love this crowd, I love how rowdy they got and how motivating they brought me. I was just excited to play the next point. I totally forgot the score sometimes and just enjoyed my time with them.

Q. A question for both of you. Gael Monfils just played his last Australian Open and will stop tennis at the end of the season. How much did he inspire you as tennis players? What do you think will be his legacy?

NICK KYRGIOS: For me personally, Gael was someone that, he was one of my best friends on tour. He took me under his wing when I first came onto the scene, and he was always so friendly. He's one of the nicest people on tour. He's just a big kid. He has such a kind heart.

Honestly, seeing him play his last Australian Open and this is obviously his last year on tour, it's emotional I think for everyone. Like, he's just a legend of the game. I think what names come to mind of someone that was always putting on a show, like, no matter where you were in the world, if Gael Monfils was playing, someone was tuning in.

Just such a kind person. I wish him nothing but the best. I think his legacy is that people can do it that way. Not everyone is Roger. Not everyone is Rafa. Not everyone is Djokovic. You can go out and enjoy yourself and be yourself and have fun.

People have said Monfils, Kyrgios, we never lived up to our talents, but if you look at his career now, he's got an amazing résumé. He's got nothing, I don't think, anything more to prove. He's had a great career.

For me, I just wanted to say good-bye because he was a big idol for me growing up, so yeah.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: For me, you know, I finally got to know him the past couple of years, and he's super nice. Always smiling. Every time I see him, he gives me a big hug, and it's just so heartwarming. But growing up, I have always watched him play, and I love how authentic he is.

As Nick said, not everybody is like Rafa or Federer, but he brought something special, that showmanship, that a lot of kids look up to and now want to try to do those trick shot and bring something different to the court.

So it's always fun to see Gael play. It's always an entertainment, and, you know, everything that he's accomplished is something to strive for, too.

Q. I have a question to both of you. When you play against ladies, do you just -- one of the most powerful serve or maybe the most powerful serve in the world. Do you adjust to ladies in other shots? And, also, how is it to play against men on the other side who are, like, powerful to you? And the second question is just for you about the basketball. Since we are coming from Serbia, I just want to know, do you still play basketball, hobby, and do you watch another Jokic from Denver, and would you invite him to your podcast ever?

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, I would. I would love to. I just did Allen Iverson the other day on my podcast, which was cool.

I'll answer your first question first. Yeah, for me, if I have a forehand, like an easy forehand that I could put through like a man or a woman, I'm probably going to do it. Like, I feel like a bit full on, if I'm just ripping balls.

But, look, if we make the final, then, like, I'm not so sure I think I'm going every ball through the chest. No, look, as I said, tennis is one of the only sports where you can have your favorite female athlete and favorite male athlete compete at the highest level for great prize money and a great trophy. I think mixed doubles is actually underutilized, and I think it's very competitive.

That atmosphere out there was special, and no other sport can really mix the two and create that energy. So I think it's super competitive.

But, yeah, I think Leylah would want me to start hitting some more balls at the girl if we keep progressing.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, if it works. I don't think I'd want to, so, I mean...

But for me, playing against men, I feel like it's a little bit easier, because you kind of just relax and just let yourself be. I mean, today I was able to kind of tee off a little bit more on Neal's serve, kind of reading it a little bit more. Then with Desirae it was a little bit harder. It came in a little bit slower, so I had more time to think, more time to choose my spot.

But, you know, it's definitely a challenge that I like to go through.

Q. Thanasi was saying last night that he won't be going to Davis Cup.

NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah.

Q. Is that something you would be putting yourself in a position to do or have you had any discussions about that?

NICK KYRGIOS: No. Potentially, like, I don't think that -- Australian tennis right now on the men's side is extremely deep, and we have so many amazing players. I just think what I offer, obviously I have versatility. I can play singles and doubles, but physically, Davis Cup is a grind. It would be selfish for me to put my hand up not knowing, having so many question marks over my physicality.

Look, what Thanasi is going through is extremely emotional for him. Obviously not even being able to get through a doubles match, it's not easy. I just want the best for him and I want him to recover and just be happy. I went through a similar journey. You start actually hating being on the court, because you can't even get through a practice session or a match. It's emotional.

I don't think in my point of my career I'm thinking about Davis Cup right now. I represented my country and I still do every time I step out on the court. But I represented Australia for a decade at the Davis Cup level and played some incredible ties.

I want these younger guys to come through and start breaking through. Obviously Demon is one of the best in the world right now, and our team is extremely strong. I don't think my time there, it's not worth it for me anymore.