“I don’t want to give up too much time on the road" - Kyrgios on his schedule

Saturday, 12 November 2022 at 05:30

Updated at Friday, 11 November 2022 at 21:47

byTom Grant

Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios admits he prefer the comforts of home as he looks ahead to some Aussie summertime tennis.

The fiery Canberran is back on home soil after months spent on the road on the ATP Tour, where he enjoyed a positive time on the court, winning an ATP 500 in Washington and reaching his first Grand Slam final in defeat to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Kyrgios last featured in Tokyo in October and confirmed he won't be back on court before Christmas as he spends some time away from the court to look after his sick mum and dad.

Whilst away, the World No. 22 repeatedly stated how much he was missing his home but, speaking ahead of the United Cup draw when he was officially announced as part of the Australian team, Kyrgios said he was relishing the chance to return to the court for the Australian summer.

He said: “I’ll put myself into a position to play an event like that, a special event. We’ll see. If my body is right and it’s the right preparation, I’ll go ahead with it.

“I’m not going to play any more [before Christmas]. I don’t want to sacrifice time at home. If I play more I don’t have that time at home, especially with the way my mum is progressing, being here with my girlfriend at home in Sydney.

“I don’t want to give up too much time on the road. Five or six months on the road is more than enough for me.”

There's no doubt Kyrgios will fancy his chances when the Australian Open in Melbourne comes along, and he has been handed the perfect warm-up opportunity after Australian were drawn with Great Britain and none other than Rafael Nadal's Spain.

It would be a chance for Kyrgios and Nadal to revisit their sometimes-turbulent rivalry, and one that was sorely missed when Nadal was forced to pull out of their Wimbledon semi-final due to an abdomen injury.