Nick Kyrgios aims to return to professional tennis at the 2025 Australian Open despite previously being given a very gloomy prognosis.
The 29-year-old Australian player hasn't properly competed since the late stages of the 2022 season. It was one of the most successful seasons of his career, as he won 37 matches, the most since 2016 when he triumphed 43 times.
Unfortunately, his season ended with a withdrawal from the Japan Open in Tokyo prior to his quarter-final match against Taylor Fritz. He then returned during two exhibition events during the off-season but didn't find a lot of success.
First, he lost at the 2022 Diriyah Tennis Cup to Cameron Norrie in two super tie-break sets, 6-10, 6-10, before also losing both of his matches at the World Tennis League. First, Felix Auger-Aliassime beat him 7-5, 6-3, and then also Grigor Dimitrov bested the Australian 7-6(5), 6-3.
He then played one match in 2023, but it was clear he wasn't able to compete due to a wrist injury. Now, it seems that Kyrgios is ready to come back to the sport, eyeing the 2025 Australian Open as his comeback major.
Speaking in Sydney on a panel at SXSW (South By Southwest), as per the ATP, the Australian tennis player confirmed that he would compete at the opening Grand Slam of the 2025 season.
"I will be playing the Australian Open this summer. I just miss being out there playing in front of a home crowd. We’ve got such a crowd of guys at the moment like Alex de Minaur playing amazing tennis."
Kyrgios also spoke more about his injury in detail, revealing that the surgeon told him that he likely wouldn't be able to play again, but all he wished for were a couple of more years of his tennis career.
"The injury I had was brutal … The surgeon said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again. But I said whatever, just try and get me another two to three years of my career…"
The 29-year-old cold the last few years 'brutal', but also sees the positive side, as he now has his sight set on his comeback and playing in front of the Australian crowd in Melbourne.
"It’s been a brutal last couple of years, but just being out there to play in front of a home crowd … I just want to be out there, lighting up the crowd and playing in front of my own country."
According to Kyrgios' words, he likely doesn't have high expectations when it comes to his comeback. He saw that Dominic Thiem was never able to come back to his top level again, and after having a similar injury, his comeback might be unsuccessful as well.
Still, he aims to win a Grand Slam, something he already managed to do on the doubles court. In singles, Kyrgios made it to the 2022 Wimbledon Championships final before losing to Novak Djokovic.
"Whether it is good or bad, it will certainly be a lot of fun, for sure. I am looking forward to it… My only motivation to come back and play is to try and win a Grand Slam, and I’ll give it one more shot."
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