As the 2024 tennis season fades into memory, the players are gearing up to return to the court after their off-season. But one player has been away far longer than most. Known for his bold opinions off the court, Nick Kyrgios is now determined to make waves on it as he prepares for a highly anticipated 2025 comeback. After an injury-ridden 2023, Kyrgios is returning to competitive tennis with his sights set on reclaiming his place among the elite. Some tennis experts have already predicted his 2025 outcome.

With the Australian Open on the horizon, Eurosport experts Laura Robson, Tim Henman, Alex Corretja, and Mats Wilander gathered to discuss their predictions for the 2025 tennis season. Following a year where Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz claimed Grand Slam titles in the men’s game and Aryna Sabalenka ascended to the top of the women’s rankings, the panel anticipates what the new year will bring. Especially for Kyrgios!

When asked about the biggest potential comeback player on the women’s side, the Eurosport experts offered varying opinions. Alex Corretja and Tim Henman both expressed their hopes for a strong 2025 season for Belinda Bencic. Meanwhile, Mats Wilander and Laura Robson both championed Emma Raducanu, expressing their desire to see her reclaim her best form and potentially earn the “comeback player of the year” title. What about the men’s side tho?

Corretja, a former world No. 2, is confident in Kyrgios’s ability to bounce back. “I’m going to go with Nick Kyrgios,” he stated. “Top 20? I think he can do that.” Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, also echoed his statement saying, “The comeback player of the year on the men’s side is definitely Nick Kyrgios.”

Their predictions are not farfetched.!

The Aussie player has already demonstrated his immense potential before. In 2022, he clinched the Australian Open doubles title alongside his compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis. He also managed to reach the Wimbledon finals and did it all without a coach.

Now, Kyrgios has re-entered the courts and kicked off his 2025 season with the World Tennis League exhibition on 19th December in Abu Dhabi where he shared the court with some of the biggest names in the ATP and WTA tours. Here’s how the story has unfolded so far:

• In mixed doubles, he partnered up with Jasmine Paolina to defeat Carolina Garcia and Denis Shapovalov 7-5,
• In singles, he was bested by Andrew Rublev 4-6 in singles.
• In a doubles match, Kyrgios also teamed up with Casper Ruud, who he used to be on horrible terms with. However, the duo were defeated by Sumit Nagal and Jordan Thompson 4-6. Later, his team was ousted in the group stages.

While Kyrgios is gearing up for his comeback, he is also aware of the limitations imposed on him due to his injuries.

Nick Kyrgios declares his comeback in tennis is short-lived

Nick Kyrgios dealt with multiple injuries in his career. The 29-year-old player had already been suffering from a wrist injury since he was 19. The wrist injury became excruciating in 2022 and he underwent a secret surgery to reconstruct his wrist. On top of that, he also injured his knee and foot in 2023. This is why Kyrgios feels he does not have many years to give to tennis. So, how long does he have left?

Talking to Nine’s ‘A Current Affair’, he said, “I would say two more years, absolute max. But for me personally, I would love to just go out, play one more year, enjoy it, and go out on my own terms, not be forced [by] another surgery or another career-ending injury.”

He further stated, “I’m completely OK with this maybe being the last year of my career. You know, I never did want to play past 30, anyway. So it worked out well.”

He is now preparing to play his first competitive match after 18 months at the Brisbane International in January 2025. He will be joined by the 24 time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic who will also begin his 2025 season there. Excitingly, the Aussie and Serb will also be seen playing doubles at the tournament.

Kyrgios will reunite with Kokkinakis again for doubles at the Australian Open, looking to repeat their 2022 glory at the Grand Slam. However, Kyrgios has made it clear that singles will remain his top priority. Speaking to 9News Melbourne, Kyrgios explained his motivation:

“I’ve beaten pretty much everyone I’ve faced, made a Grand Slam final, won a doubles Grand Slam, and earned my money. But now, the only thing on my mind is winning a Grand Slam. That’s the only thing that will shut people up.”

With his sights set on Grand Slam glory, will he finally deliver on his promise and silence the doubters once and for all?