Nick Kyrgios gives update on his current level ahead of proposed return to tennis at the Australian Open

by Admin
October 30, 2024

Nick Kyrgios is continuing his preparations towards a return to tennis, with the 2025 Australian Open high on his agenda.

Kyrgios is confident of making the Australian Open, where he has only ever reached the quarter-finals in the singles event.

The Australian is, however, a Wimbledon runner-up, having lost the 2022 final to his new friend Novak Djokovic.

Kyrgios will play before the end of 2024, having last featured competitively at the 2023 Stuttgart Open last summer.

He lost his opening match to Wu Yibing, with knee and wrist injuries having prevented Kyrgios from any further action since then.

Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios says he could beat 50% of players right now

But the Australian is as confident as ever ahead of his proposed return to competitive tennis, having discussed his goals on The Louis Theroux Podcast.

“I wouldn’t say I’m inactive now,” he said. “I could come back now and beat 50% of players but I don’t want to do that. My fans deserve a better version of myself than I am now on the court.

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says what chance he has of being in the main draw at the 2025 Australian Open

“I want to go out there competing for tournaments. When you make the finals of Wimbledon and quarter-finals of Grand Slams and winning events you want to go back knowingly thinking you have a chance and have a shot of winning.”

Nick Kyrgios says what shape he is in ahead of the Australian Open

Kyrgios will be desperate to make it back in time for his home Grand Slam, but it remains to be seen how far he could actually go.

The likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have proved near-unstoppable in recent times, while veteran Novak Djokovic will be keen to add to his Grand Slam tally.

Serbian star Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down despite his age, with his fellow veterans Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal stepping into retirement.

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios says why he doesn’t want his retirement to be like Rafael Nadal’s and Andy Murray’s

Kyrgios has formed a close bond with Djokovic during his time on the sidelines, but the Australian believes that he could be in for a hostile reception when he returns to the sport.

“I know the world is not going to be nice to me when I come back, they are going to forget I was out for a year-and-a-half with injuries and it’s the Nick Kyrgios with all the expectation again and when he loses it’s not okay, so I know when I lose I will have to be resilient mentally and physically,” he added. “But I’m in a great shape on court.”