Novak Djokovic reveals Nick Kyrgios has hinted at a surprise comeback date

Nick Kyrgios has been practising with Novak Djokovic over the course of his run at Wimbledon and now he has hinted the Aussie may be ready to make a comeback to the game.

Kyrgios missed almost all of the 2023 season due to injury and he has not played in 2024, as he is building up his fitness levels ahead of a potential return.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has hinted he would look at a return to action in doubles in the second half of this year, but now he has told Djokovic that he could make a surprise comeback at next month’s US Open.

Djokovic confirmed he has been impressed with the level of performance Kygios has served up in their practice sessions and it may also have encouraged the Aussie to consider a return at the final Grand Slam of the year.

“I can tell you a few days ago when we practised – actually yesterday I think it was when we practised – he hit a really good serve, and he said, Well, I might come back at the US Open,” revealed Djokovic.

“So I don’t know if he was joking about it or not. But let me tell you, he’s hitting the ball as good as ever really. He’s so talented. He’s so good with his tennis.

“I think he said that the wrist bothers him mostly with the serve, but he’s been increasing the load and the intensity and the speed.

“He’s not going for full pace or full-strength serve, but he’s close to that. He’s close to that. He’s very positive. It’s nice to see him full of life, full of energy.

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“Like, he’s really pumped to be here in Wimbledon enjoying our practice sessions and commentating.

“I think that the return (to tennis) is near, but it’s hard to say really because one thing is really practicing for like an hour or two, but completely something different when you are out there on the tour playing in a tournament where you have to come back every single day maybe for four, five, six days in a row.

I guess he will also not know if his wrist will react well until he actually plays a tournament. So, yeah, I hope he can come back personally, and I think everyone in tennis hopes he can come back quickly because we definitely need him on the tour.

Djokovic had a confrontational relationship with Kyrgios until the Aussie agitator backed him over his Covid vaccine stance, which resulted in his deportation from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open in 2022.

Now the duo are close friends and Djokovic suggests his return would be a big boost for tennis.

“He’s an extremely important guy for our sport. I think he brings new fans,” he added.

“He’s been doing a terrific job actually staying in tennis with his podcast and everything that he’s been doing, interviewing Mike Tyson and some very interesting personalities from different industries.

“It’s a little bit of a bromance that we are having in last few years, considering we really didn’t like each other at all for many years. But now we are getting along very well. He was very nice also to my kids. He played with them.”