Tennis legend Pat Rafter believes Nick Kyrgios can reach the quarter or semi finals of the Australian Open next month.

After last playing in a major at the US Open 2022, Kyrgios will make his return from injury to grand slam tennis at Melbourne Park in 2025.

Despite Kyrgios’ last professional match coming in June 2023, Rafter feels Kyrgios could challenge to win the Australian Open title, just as easy as he could fail.

“When I say I have no expectations, I mean I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he made it to the quarterfinals or semifinals, but I wouldn’t be surprised either if he lost in the first round,” Rafter told AAP.

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Rafter continued: “You would never entirely dismiss a guy with the talent Kyrgios has. He’s an incredible talent.

“I don’t know what he’s been doing all this time, though. He’s been out of this sport for a year and a half… it’s going to be interesting.

“I have no expectations or understanding of how things will go for him, but he has an impressive game. Can he maintain it? Can his body hold up physically? Can his mind hold up as well? Those are his major challenges, especially his body.

“Playing at a competitive level is totally different from training, so I don’t really know what to expect from him; I think everything is up in the air.”

Kyrgios hasn’t played a professional tennis match since June 2023, struggling with wrist, knee and foot injuries.

His last Grand Slam tournament match was a quarter-final loss to Karen Khachanov at the US Open in 2022.