Nick Kyrgios teases his fans with the promise of a ‘big announcement’
Nick Kyrgios has offered up conflicting comments on his attempts to return to tennis and it seems we may be edging closer to getting some clarity over his plans.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist played in just one tournament last year as his career was derailed by injuries.
The Australian has made several attempts to come back to competitive action, but he has failed to get back on court as his career appeared to be heading in an alternative direction.
The Australian former world No 11 has taken time off from the professional circuit due to injury, with his success as a TV commentator at the Australian Open fuelling specualtion that he may have hit his last ball in anger on a tennis court.
“I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me,” he told Australian paper The Age.
“Of course, there’s a part of me watching on that would love nothing more than to be out there.
“I know I can be one of the best in the world and win major tournaments – if my body lets me. The fire still burns, but it’s not my everything.”
Now it appears Kyrgios is set to announce the next phase of his comeback plan, with one of the most colourful characters in the game posting a cryptic message on his X account to pre-empt his big news.
Announcement tomorrow at 9 pm guys 👀
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 21, 2024
It is clear that Kyrgios is attempting to make a return to tennis after he was confirmed as a participant in the Ultimate Tennis Showdown event in New York in August.
Created by Patrick Mouratoglou, the legendary coach of Serena Williams, UTS is a fast-paced, explosive version of tennis that has proved to be a big hit with fans around the world in recent years.
The two-day event in New York will feature such tennis superstars as Andrey Rublev (RUS), Gael Monfils (FRA), Alex de Minaur (AUS), and Casper Ruud (NOR), competing for a total prize money of $1 million.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios makes a big announcement as he ponders a tennis comeback
Yet it is the names of Kyrgios on the entry list that has raised a few eyebrows, as it suggests he intends to try and get back on court for the grass court season and into the US hardcourt swing.
Kyrgios has given mixed messages over whether he will come back, suggesting he is ‘done with tennis’ and then backtracking on those comments during his commentary stint at the Australian Open.
“I don’t enjoy being injured and I don’t enjoy rehabbing and stuff, and there have been times where it’s like, is this worth it, but you go again,” he said.
“Of course I’m going to come back, I’ve got a protected ranking of 21 in the world singles, 11 in doubles.
“I’m going to come back. I’m going to give it a go.
“I’ve had some brutal injuries over the last year, obviously had knee surgery twice, battled on through that then had wrist surgery, but I still feel I have it in me.”
Kyrgios would be one of the biggest draws on the tennis tour if he makes a comeback and he has offered up some comments after he was confirmed as a participant on the UTS list.
“UTS is the future for sure,” he said. “Unbelievable experience in LA. Patrick (Mouratoglou) has it down,” he said, as quoted by Tennis Majors.
“For me, it’s the energy, the music and the culture. That brings out the best in me. It’s much more like basketball than tennis. I always love playing in the US and feel really comfortable there.”
