Nick Kyrgios has written himself into the history books after becoming the first man to claim both the singles and doubles titles at the Citi Open in Washington on Sunday. In scooping the two trophies at the same event, the Aussie matched a rare feat previously achieved by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but one never accomplished by the great Novak Djokovic.
Kyrgios comprehensively dispatched of Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 6-3 in the singles final in just 81 minutes before returning to the Stadium Court at Rock Creek Park Tennis Centre a short time later to team up with Jack Sock and defeat Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5 6-4 to win the doubles crown. The 27-year-old continued the best season of his career in fine style, following up his Wimbledon final appearance last month with his first ATP Tour title in three years.
The singles honour was Kyrgios’ seventh ATP title and his first success since winning at Washington in 2019. In lifting the two trophies, Kyrgios joined an exclusive group of players to have won the singles and doubles titles at the same event – an achievement which still eludes the 21-time Grand Slam winner and this year’s Wimbledon champion Djokovic.
The Serb has only ever claimed one doubles title in his career, the Queen’s Club trophy, alongside Jonathan Erlich in London back in 2010, but unlike Kyrgios, Djokovic wasn’t able to claim the singles crown at the same event. The exceptional feat is one previously achieved by Federer and Nadal though.
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The Swiss icon, who has 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, has achieved the double trophy feat twice, claiming singles and doubles successes at the same event at the Vienna Open back in 2003 and at the Halle Open two years later – winning both doubles titles alongside compatriot Yves Allegro. Meanwhile, 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal scooped the double honour at Monte Carlo in 2008, achieving success in the doubles while partnered with fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
Following his astonishing singles success in Washington, in which he held his serve a whopping 64 times without being broken, Kyrgios was overcome with emotion as he reflected on his previous battles with mental health. The Canberra product said: “It’s very emotional for me. To see where I was at last year to now it’s just an incredible transformation.
“I just came out with great energy, I knew I had experience on my side today. I love this court, I’ve played so many great matches here so I’m just really really happy with it.
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