Novak Djokovic revelled in an "awesome" doubles match-up with Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International.

In a bromance that not many would have seen coming, given the ire between the duo in the past, Djokovic and Kyrgios have teamed up in Brisbane.

And in Kyrgios' first match back after a long spell out with injury, the pair secured a 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 10-8 win over Austria's Alexander Erler and Germany's Andreas Mies in front of a sell-out crowd.

The duo celebrated with a chest pump after clinching victory with their third match point.

"That was awesome," said Djokovic, who will take on Rinky Hijikata in his first singles match at the tournament.

"I want to thank Nick for playing. He said it should be a pleasure to play with him, it was a pleasure.

"I'm glad to share the court with him on his comeback."

Kyrgios lost his only major final appearance to Djokovic back in 2022, at Wimbledon.

Since then, the 29-year-old has struggled to stay fit, and the Australian revealed he and Djokovic had set a goal of competing together before either of them bowed out.

"This injury has been brutal for me so I wasn't taking any of this for granted," said Kyrgios.

"I don't know how many Aussie summers I have left.

"We promised we would do this one time before he goes or I go. So I'm glad we're still alive."

In the singles, Gregor Dimitrov began his title defence with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 defeat of qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.

Dimitrov is a two-time winner of the tournament, and also reached the final in 2013.

"I came here 15 years ago and since day one I've had that love affair [with the tournament], so I want to keep on going, keep on testing myself and delivering as long as I can," Dimitrov said.

"Hopefully I can continue and go all the way again. I enjoy the weather - it's hot and humid and I like that,"

Meanwhile, Holger Rune was a big-name casualty of the first round, losing 7-5 6-3 to Jiri Lehecka.