Nick Kyrgios admits the “reality” of playing best-of-five-set tennis at the Australian Open is setting in after suffering an injury scare in his comeback match. Playing his first ATP-level match since June 2023, Kyrgios was narrowly defeated 7-6(2) 6-7(4) 7-6(3) by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round of the Brisbane International.
The clash, expected to be a tight battle of big servers, delivered on intensity but left fans worried after the former World No.13 appeared to tape up his wrist mid-match. The 29-year-old Australian has faced recurring injuries over recent seasons, with a wrist issue being the most severe. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist underwent wrist reconstruction surgery in September 2023, and while his return to the court showcased flashes of his brilliance, the lingering pain remains a significant concern.
A Grueling Reality Check for Kyrgios
Speaking candidly after the match, Kyrgios revealed he was experiencing “constant pain” in his wrist despite finding some positives in his performance.
He explained, “I don’t really have any protocol of how it’s going to be or how it’s going to pull up. So me and my physio, we are taking it as it comes. If we can get through a match, we get through a match. How it pulls up tomorrow, I have no idea. It’s throbbing like **** right now.”
The Australian tennis star went on to highlight the mental and physical toll of playing a Grand Slam event, saying, “That’s a best-of-three match with my wrist. Not only is a Grand Slam mentally really draining, you’re there for two-and-a-half, three weeks, physically a grind. It’s one of the hardest things to do in any sport, to win a Grand Slam in men’s tennis.”
Kyrgios admitted that he would need a “miracle” for his wrist to hold up in the grueling conditions of a Grand Slam. “I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a Grand Slam for sure.”
Uncertain Path Ahead for Kyrgios in 2025
All eyes are now on whether Kyrgios will be fit to participate in the Australian Open, his home Grand Slam tournament. The former Wimbledon finalist has not played a Grand Slam match since the 2022 US Open and would need to endure best-of-five-set matches to progress through the draw.
A quarterfinalist in Melbourne a decade ago, the 29-year-old acknowledged the harsh reality of his wrist injury while reflecting on his journey. After an 18-month hiatus, he made his return at the World Tennis League in December. Despite showing promise in his comeback, the concerns around his physical fitness have resurfaced following his Brisbane defeat.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
