‘I need a miracle’ – Nick Kyrgios casts doubt on Australian Open hopes after singles return
Nick Kyrgios has cast doubt on his Australian Open participation despite a well publicised return to the court. The 29-year-old made his singles comeback at the Brisbane International on New Years Eve, following 18 months out due to wrist and knee injuries. Kyrgios has returned to the court after 18 months outAFP Playing his first competitive singles match since 2023, Kyrgios pushed the big serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard all the way in a three-set thriller. Tiebreakers decided the winner in all three sets as Mpetshi Perricard – who served 36 aces – triumphed 7-6(2), 6(4)-7, 7-6(3). While he ultimately fell short in the match, Kyrgios delighted fans on his return, and even had time to pull out one of his signature underarm serves. But after undergoing reconstructive wrist surgery 15 months ago, a tough battle took its toll, and the Australian sought treatment after the first set. He endured ‘throbbing’ pain throughout the match, and while Kyrgios is still hopeful of playing at his first major since September 2022, he faces a race against time to be fit. “After today I’m super excited for the Australian Open,” he said post-match. “If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in for me. “That’s a best-of-three match with my wrist. If I’m able to (play), not only is a Grand Slam mentally really draining, it’s physically a grind. “I think I almost need a miracle, and I need, like, the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a Grand Slam for sure.” The Australian Open begins on January 12, meaning Kyrgios has less than two weeks to recover from his defeat in Brisbane. Kyrgios played well against Mpetshi Perricard but was edged out in three setsGetty Mpetshi Perricard is one of the biggest hitters in tennis and was serving over 220km/hAFP He is slated to play a second round doubles back with Novak Djokovic on Wednesday after the pair won their opener – whether he is fit enough to play remains to be seen. Despite the setback, the former world No.13 decided to focus on the positives after being edged out by 21-year-old Mpetshi Perricard. “For me, honestly, it was a great match, considering I hadn’t played in 18 months. And to put myself in a winning position was exciting,” he added. “It was just good to be back out there and to say that I can still play at a level against someone like that who is coming off the best year of their career and only getting better. “I’m coming back and I asked the question, and he just played a couple big points better than I did. I felt relatively pretty good physically. “My legs, my body felt really good. I felt fit and I’m in great shape. Obviously felt some discomfort with the wrist, but he does serve and hit the ball a lot bigger than probably some of the people that I have practised with in the last year.” Mpetshi Perricard hit 36 aces against Kyrgios in their match at the Brisbane InternationalAFP Regularly topping a serve speed of 220km/h, Mpetshi Perricard offered Kyrgios the perfect test ahead of his Grand Slam comeback hopes. With 15 aces of his own, the Australian proved he can still hang with the big hitters, and will be desperate to make it to Melbourne Park in January.
Nick Kyrgios has cast doubt on his Australian Open participation despite a well publicised return to the court.
The 29-year-old made his singles comeback at the Brisbane International on New Years Eve, following 18 months out due to wrist and knee injuries.
Playing his first competitive singles match since 2023, Kyrgios pushed the big serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard all the way in a three-set thriller.
Tiebreakers decided the winner in all three sets as Mpetshi Perricard – who served 36 aces – triumphed 7-6(2), 6(4)-7, 7-6(3).
While he ultimately fell short in the match, Kyrgios delighted fans on his return, and even had time to pull out one of his signature underarm serves.
But after undergoing reconstructive wrist surgery 15 months ago, a tough battle took its toll, and the Australian sought treatment after the first set.
He endured ‘throbbing’ pain throughout the match, and while Kyrgios is still hopeful of playing at his first major since September 2022, he faces a race against time to be fit.
“After today I’m super excited for the Australian Open,” he said post-match.
“If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in for me.
“That’s a best-of-three match with my wrist. If I’m able to (play), not only is a Grand Slam mentally really draining, it’s physically a grind.
“I think I almost need a miracle, and I need, like, the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a Grand Slam for sure.”
The Australian Open begins on January 12, meaning Kyrgios has less than two weeks to recover from his defeat in Brisbane.
He is slated to play a second round doubles back with Novak Djokovic on Wednesday after the pair won their opener – whether he is fit enough to play remains to be seen.
Despite the setback, the former world No.13 decided to focus on the positives after being edged out by 21-year-old Mpetshi Perricard.
“For me, honestly, it was a great match, considering I hadn’t played in 18 months. And to put myself in a winning position was exciting,” he added.
“It was just good to be back out there and to say that I can still play at a level against someone like that who is coming off the best year of their career and only getting better.
“I’m coming back and I asked the question, and he just played a couple big points better than I did. I felt relatively pretty good physically.
“My legs, my body felt really good. I felt fit and I’m in great shape. Obviously felt some discomfort with the wrist, but he does serve and hit the ball a lot bigger than probably some of the people that I have practised with in the last year.”
Regularly topping a serve speed of 220km/h, Mpetshi Perricard offered Kyrgios the perfect test ahead of his Grand Slam comeback hopes.
With 15 aces of his own, the Australian proved he can still hang with the big hitters, and will be desperate to make it to Melbourne Park in January.
