Nick Kyrgios Announces Return to Competitive Tennis After Two-Year Break
Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis star, has revealed his plans to return to competitive tennis later this year at the Brisbane International, starting on Dec. 29. It will be the first tournament he will participate in after more than two years since his last ATP Tour match due to major wrist and knee injuries.
Kyrgios, who reached the pinnacle of his career when he made it to the Wimbledon finals in 2022 only to lose to Novak Djokovic, has spent much of the time since then dealing with career-threatening injuries. Six weeks after Wimbledon, he played in the 2022 US Open quarterfinals, but was then sidelined due to his injuries.
In addition to his participation in the Brisbane International, the 29-year-old tennis player has also shown his intentions to compete in the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne. Before that, Kyrgios plans to participate in the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 19-22. Other notable players such as Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev will also participate in the mixed team event.
Kyrgios's injuries have hindered his tennis career significantly. He had to withdraw from the Australian Open in 2023 because of a knee injury that required surgery, and then had to bow out of the French Open later that year due to a foot problem. Additionally, he had to undergo surgery after tearing a ligament in his wrist. His last tour match was a brief return to playing on grass at Stuttgart in June 2023.
Amid all these challenges, the currently unranked player, who once held the 13th spot in world rankings, is excited about resuming his career in front of his home fans. "Honestly, this is probably the best I've felt in two years," Kyrgios said. "I had that wrist reconstruction and now I'm feeling amazing."
"I am feeling fit and healthy, and I am excited for my return to tennis. ... It has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today," he added during a media conference in Brisbane.
