Kyrgios: “It’s good to be back. Tennis was getting a bit mundane”

Back after more than two years away from Grand Slam tennis, the 29-year-old is confident he still has the ability to compete at the top level

Simon Cambers

January 10, 2025

Nick Kyrgios has never lacked confidence, the Australian talking as good a game as anyone, whatever his form, results, or occasionally controversial moments. And as the 29-year-old returns from two years away because of injury at the Australian Open this weekend, he says the game should be happy too.

“For me being personally back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to like what is going to happen today,” he said. “I love that. Every time I step out on court, I don’t know if I’m going to be super controversial in a good or bad way.

“Throughout my career, it hasn’t always been good, but it’s added a lot of excitement to the game. I think it’s important. There’s so many good players on the tour now. I think there’s not so many contrasting personalities.

“I think it’s healthy that I’m back and I’m playing. Doesn’t really weigh on me, though. I’ve always been someone that’s played my brand of tennis, and I guess my personality, I haven’t changed since I was 10 years old. Anyone that knows me knows that I’ve been just how I am now.

“I think it’s good to be back. I think it’s important. I think the sport was getting a bit mundane.”

Kyrgios says he should be fit after abdominal strain

When Kyrgios was announced as being first on the interview schedule on Friday, there was a general feeling that he may be about to pull out of the singles, having highlighted an abdominal strain earlier in the week.

Kyrgios last played a Grand Slam at the US Open in 2022 and has barely played over the last two years, with first knee surgery and then a serious wrist injury causing him a long spell on the sidelines.

But after a good practice on Friday morning and another planned for later in the day, the former Wimbledon runner-up said he felt he would be good to go come his first-round match against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

“This morning, was out there feeling pretty good. I’m actually hitting again this afternoon to test it out a little bit and see how it feels,” he said.

“As of right now, I still have three days before the tournament starts for me, I’m just taking it day by day. Just enjoying all the moments again, being a part of the tournament, going through the hallways, locker room, seeing everyone again. It’s been an emotional time for me the last couple weeks. Yeah, I’m just enjoying being back.”

No fear he has been left behind

Some players who are out for a lengthy period of time find that the Tour has moved on when they return, leaving them fearful that they might not be able to catch up. Kyrgios said he is still confident that he can beat anyone when he is healthy.

“I’ve beaten pretty much everyone that the sport has put in me before,” he said. “I’m always going to back my ability.

“People are always going to say, Be realistic, you’re not going to be same. I unfortunately don’t have that mindset. I always have utmost confidence in my ability, if I’m playing my style of tennis, my unpredictability, I have a chance against anyone. That’s the mindset you need to have against the people.

“If I walked out on the court for the first time against (Rafael) Nadal, (Novak) Djokovic, (Roger) Federer, and was realistic, I probably wouldn’t have won. A kid from Canberra going out there, and beating those guys… like, you can’t be realistic. You have to think, like, I think I’m the best tennis player in the world. Is that realistic? Probably not. But I think that when I’m out there.

“If I play any of these top guys now, I have to have that mindset. Otherwise I’m going to be blown off the court. My confidence comes from my belief in my own ability.”