Thanasi Kokkinakis in tears as Special Ks reunite, but Nick Kyrgios accidentally hits ball boy

A ball boy copped a Nick Kyrgios forehand square on the chin during the Brisbane International on Sunday night, but the youngster quicky shrugged it off.

Teaming with former Australian Open doubles championship partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios was in a great battle with fellow Aussie Matt Ebden and American Rajeev Ram.

Ebden forced Kyrgios wide and deep off his own serve during the second set, with the 30-year-old swinging hard on the forehand to attempt a miracle return.

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Unfortunately, it went well wide and landed flush on the jaw of the unsuspecting ball kid.

The crowd let out an audible groan and Kyrgios immediately ducked and raised his hands in apology.

The chair umpire checked in on the youngster, with the ball boy stoically giving a thumbs up and carrying on.

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"He got falconed there," former Australian tennis player John Millman said on Nine's commentary.

When it was pointed out that the ball boy didn't even flinch, Millman added, "we breed them tough in Queensland. He's alright".

A sheepish Kyrgios gave Kokkinakis an awkward look before play resumed.

Everyone was in good spirits though and the game moved on from the accident quickly.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were fighting hard in the second set after losing the first 7-5.

They broke Ebden and Ram at 5-4 in the second, and would go on to force a 10-point tiebreaker for the match, given the tournament was only two sets.

The crowd, clearly in the corner of the Special Ks, built as the pair got on a roll throughout the tiebreak.

They led 4-1 and 5-2, but Ebden and Ram refused to go away, bringing it back to 7-7 and keeping their opponents on their toes.

But a strong Kokkinakis serve followed by some Kyrgios brute force gave the Ks back control in a 10-8 victory on Pat Rafter Arena.

"Special Ks: the sequel. The boys are back in town," commentator Peter Psaltis said.

Speaking after the match, the pair were clearly happy to be back playing tennis together again.

"We knew it was going to be tough, they're tough opponents, and we haven't played together for a few years, but it was like riding a bike," Kokkinakis said.

Kyrgios added: "I think everything we've gone through over the last year, the sport of tennis was almost taken away from us, but our level together is insane. I'm just glad we got the W. It's good to be back competing and to do it at this level is pretty cool."

"I never thought I'd see the day where we're doing extended warmups before a doubles match, but here we are."

Kokkinakis began to get emotional while talking about his return to tennis after missing a year with a pectoral injury.

"F--- I'm about to tear up ... it means everything being back here," he said while thanking his team.

Kyrgios will also compete in the singles at the Brisbane International as he attempts to earn a wildcard spot for the Australian Open.