Naomi Osaka does not hide that she likes and admires Nick Kyrgios despite the headlines he regularly generates with his comments.
Kyrgios is currently in a similar position to Osaka 12 months ago, when the Japanese star returned to professional tennis after missing the entire 2023 season. She was on maternity leave to give birth and spend time with her daughter.
The Australian has been missing for an even lengthier period. His only match since the end of 2022 was a failed comeback attempt at the Stuttgart Open in June 2023 to try to be fit for that year's Wimbledon Championships.
It seemed like Kyrgios might never recover from a severe wrist injury, but a wrist reconstruction has changed everything. Despite only being given a 15% chance of playing professional tennis again before the procedure, he will return for the new season.
Kyrgios' first tournament of his comeback will be in the opening week of the 2025 season at the Brisbane International. It has been confirmed that he will play in the doubles with Novak Djokovic.
Many welcome Kyrgios' return because of his unique personality and how good he can be when committed and focused. Since turning professional, he has beaten legends like Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray.
One man Kyrgios has never beaten is the current ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The Italian won their only meeting at the 2022 Miami Open, a match that included Kyrgios having a meltdown after losing the first set in a tie-break.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up is now one of Sinner's most vocal critics after the Italian tested positive for the banned substance clostebol. That saga is still ongoing after the World Anti-Doping appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Kyrgios has repeatedly criticized Sinner and recently promised to show him no respect if they met at the Australian Open and to turn the whole crowd against him. Some think the 29-year-old's words directed at Sinner have gone too far.
Sinner has admitted to having anxiety because of the doping case, where he accidentally had a billionth of a gram of clostebol in his system, but Kyrgios continues attacking him despite previously speaking about his own mental health issues.
However, others think Kyrgios' words about Sinner should not be taken as seriously as that and that they do not contradict the valuable work he has done to support those with mental health issues by speaking publicly about it.
Osaka, another mental health advocate, has a good relationship with Kyrgios. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, the four-time Grand Slam champion outlined what she likes about Kyrgios and feels there is a side to him many do not see.
"Nick is a dynamic person both on and off the court. I am really drawn to people who are unapologetic about who they are and aren’t afraid to show all aspects of themselves."
"I also think there is a side to Nick few people see, but I can say he has a very big heart and, for him, giving back is really important, and that is a quality I admire about him."
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