Nick Kyrgios is set to test his readiness for a return to the grand slam stage in Melbourne in January with an appearance in a star-studded edition of the Kooyong Classic in the week prior to the Australian Open.
The Canberran has not played competitively since the Miami Masters in March after a brief comeback that included appearances at the Brisbane International, Melbourne Park and Indian Wells after more than two seasons in the wilderness.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, who was plagued initially by chronic knee soreness and than a debilitating wrist injury which required innovative surgery the following September, had to abort his comeback when pain returned in his knee.
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But he told AAP recently that he has experienced a “miracle” and his feeling capable of being able to play professionally again.
“Like around that Washington period (in late July) I really didn’t have hope to be able to play AO or just ever get back to that point of where I felt comfortable and competing and really letting my body go,” he said.
“But something in the last month, I don’t know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night and something really has changed with my knee. Like it’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session.”
Kooyong Classic tournament director Peter Johnston said the dual-Australian Open quarterfinalist had expressed confidence in his ability to feature in the popular exhibition, which returns to the scene after a sabbatical in 2025.
“It’s great to see Nick back playing singles,” Johnston, an experienced tennis administrator who runs several tournaments in Asia, said.
“He brings a level of shot-making genius and showmanship you simply don’t see every day. When he walks on court, you know something memorable is going to happen. It’s great to welcome him back to Kooyong.”
The challenge for Kyrgios, who was sidelined not long after reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2022 when one of the most in-form players in the world, is the translate his fitness from training and exhibitions on to the professional circuit.
After playing 52 matches in a career-best season in 2022, one in which he appeared on the brink of fulfilling his potential, he has played just six matches at the top level over the past six months.
The former Australian Open doubles champion will play an exhibition against Tommy Paul, an AO semifinalist in 2023, early next month at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.
Kyrgios is then scheduled to take part in a World Tennis League event featuring three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev and French veteran Gael Monfils leading into Christmas.
He is then due to play dual-Australian Open champion and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a modern day “Battle of the Sexes”, an exhibition event that has polarised tennis fans around the world.
After suggestions that Hong Kong, where Johnston is the tournament director of ATP and WTA events, would host the match, it will instead be played in Dubai on December 28.
Whether Kyrgios will feature in the Brisbane International, the event where he made his brief comeback for the 2025 season, is unclear but the timing of the exhibition makes for a short turnaround to the ATP Tour event.
Kooyong, meanwhile, has attracted a quality field for the three day exhibition headed by Wimbledon semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti, who edged Australia’s top-ranked man Alex de Minaur in the recent ATP Tour Finals.
Alexander Bublik, a showman of the tour who enjoyed his best season to date when moving to the cusp of the top 10, will also feature alongside Flavio Cobolli, who led Italy to its third Davis Cup triumph in succession on the weekend.
His teammate and former Australian Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini and top Russian Karen Khachanov are among other big names signed, which suggests Kyrgios will get a gauge as to where he sits prior to the Australian Open.
“Kooyong continues to attract players who want proper match preparation before the Australian Open,” Johnston said.
“With Nick joining the line-up and several new names still to be added, this year’s field offers strong matchups and plenty for fans to follow.”