Nick Kyrgios will swap the racket for the microphone after landing a new gig that will see him feature as an analyst for Tennis Channel's coverage of the ATP Finals.
The 28-year-old has not played tennis competitively for an entire year bar one match in Stuttgart as multiple injuries scuppered his season. Kyrgios has spent more time in the treatment room than on the court in 2023 but will make a high-profile return to tennis on Sunday in a non-playing role.
The 2023 ATP Finals in Turin kicks off at the weekend, converging the world's top eight players who will look to win the most prestigious ATP tennis tournament outside the four Grand Slams. In his playing career, Kyrgios has never qualified for the year-end championships.
However, he will get to experience the thrill and mystique of the event and get a close-up view of his fellow pros from the comfort of the television booth. Tennis Channel announced that the Australian maverick will be in the commentary team throughout the week in Turin, Italy.
"Nick Kyrgios, whose electric style of play and straight-to-the-point conversational approach have endeared him to millions of fans around the world, is joining Tennis Channel as an analyst during its coverage of the ATP Finals November 12-19."
"It will be Kyrgios' first time working with the network, and it will happen during the most exclusive event in men's tennis, with just the top-eight singles players and doubles teams qualifying for the event based on points earned during the 2023 season."
One of Kyrgios' distinct qualities is his straightforward approach not just to playing tennis, but also to public speaking, which was a key attribute in landing this gig. He has never shied from making thought-provoking statements, and his social media output tends to divide opinions.
It's not the first time Kyrgios will feature in a non-playing role in a tennis tournament. He was the temporary coach of Frances Tiafoe during the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition in Los Angeles after announcing that he wouldn't play the event due to injury.
It is unclear when Kyrgios will return to the tennis courts, but he is likely to give viewers his timetable date and whether his knee and wrist are fully healed.
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