‘The whole tennis world is looking forward to having Nick Kyrgios back’
Nick Kyrgios’s return is something “the whole tennis world” is looking forward to, according to fellow Australian Alex de Minaur.
Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios will return to action at the Brisbane International at the start of the 2025 season.
The Australian has been ravaged by injuries in recent years, with the Stuttgart Open in 2023 the only ATP-level event the former world No 13 has played in the past two seasons.
However, the 29-year-old will make his comeback in Brisbane, with the event beginning on December 29th, before returning to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios is a controversial figure for some but it is fair to say that compatriot de Minaur, the current Australian No 1, is excited to see him in action.
Speaking to Eurosport, the world No 1 described Kyrgios as an “incredible talent” and said that “everyone” was waiting for his return.
“I think everyone in the whole tennis world is looking forward to having him back,” said de Minaur.
“He’s obviously an incredible talent and has done some great things in the sport, so I’m sure the whole tennis world will be very excited to watch him play and compete again.
“He’s been getting back from rehab, trying to do his best. I’ve seen he’s starting in Brisbane, so I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on that.”
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In the absence of Kyrgios, de Minaur has undoubtedly been the flagbearer for Australian men’s tennis across the past two seasons.
2024 saw de Minaur reach three Grand Slam quarter-finals and win two ATP titles, alongside qualifying for the ATP Finals for the first time.
The 25-year-old reached a career-high of world No 6 this summer and still managed to end the year inside the top 10, despite struggling with an injury sustained at Wimbledon across the second half of the season.
Despite claiming to be a “little hard done by” with his injury, de Minaur is optimistic heading into 2025.
He added: “I think I got a little bit hard done by this year with the injury kind of stopping me at the peak of my rankings, so I’m definitely on the right track in the right direction doing the right things, and I’m feeling great on the court.
“So, hopefully, I can start 2025 with a new slate, fully fit and hopefully keep on the same track momentum that I started last year.
“[I need to] keep working, keep getting stronger. These guys hit the ball so hard, so I’ve got to adapt, I’ve got to evolve and if I want to be among the best tennis players in the world, there’s no other way than working for it, so that’s the plan.”
De Minaur will be among the dark horses heading into the Australian Open.
It remains the last Slam where he has not reached the last eight, falling to Andrey Rublev in five sets in the Round of 16 last January.
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