Brisbane: There is only one certainty about Nick Kyrgios right now.
The Brisbane commitments of Australia’s most watchable tennis star are over after his nail-biting doubles defeat with Novak Djokovic to top seeds Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic, after they were only a few points from winning.
In reality, it was for the best.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic are in some ways a tennis odd couple.Credit: Getty Images
Kyrgios and Djokovic thoroughly entertained the crowd in their two matches but, more importantly, Kyrgios’ ailing body clearly needs some rest ahead of the Australian Open.
Only Kyrgios and his team know whether he was being overly dramatic or not after his triple-tiebreaker singles loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday, but he stopped short of guaranteeing he would play at Melbourne Park – and cast doubt on how his right wrist would hold up if he does.
He did not speak to the media after his doubles loss with Djokovic, but was generous with his insights after pushing Mpetshi Perricard to the limit in his first singles match in 18 months after major wrist surgery.
“I was really excited for the Aus Open, but after today – obviously I’m [still] super excited. If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in to me,” Kyrgios said.
“It’s one of the hardest things to do in any sport, is win a grand slam in men’s tennis. 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. Today, if this was a grand slam, we may still be out on court, and I don’t know how I’d pull up the next day or the day after.”
Kyrgios requested the trainer at the end of the first set against Mpetshi Perricard, and had his right bicep massaged – the same part of his anatomy that he grabbed at during his doubles contest on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old said he felt like he was “hit by a bus” after his first match back alongside Djokovic on Monday night, so it would have been interesting to see the description after a third in as many days.
Djokovic has a laugh with Kyrgios.Credit: Getty Images
Kyrgios is heading back to Canberra for a few days before travelling to Melbourne, where he will dominate the headlines, regardless of what happens.
His post-match comments have fuelled enough fire that whether he makes the start line will be a constant talking point until his first-round encounter.
After his extended absence, Kyrgios has been everywhere in the past month, from playing in a lucrative exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, to podcast and radio appearances, to spruiking a low-carb beer. And now his official playing return in an ATP event.
Kyrgios’ on-court performance was impressive off a short run, as we knew it would be.
Mpetshi Perricard was the ATP Tour’s most improved player in 2024, climbing more than 170 spots to No.31 in the world, and appears to be on the fast track to the top 10.
That Kyrgios was a genuine chance of winning until the final few points was a positive sign. He served well, if not with his usual velocity, and his circus-like winners and exuberance are always a joy to behold.
There have unsurprisingly been a few stoushes along the way, too.
Kyrgios’ sustained attacks on world No.1 Jannik Sinner and his anti-doping case have made international news, while he did not take kindly to doubles specialist Nicolas Mahut saying he should be realistic about what he can achieve at the Australian Open.
“I would love to be able to go out there and play the way I played in 2022, and compete for grand slams,” he said pre-tournament.
“I still believe I can, whether or not that’s factual. There was another player who was like, ‘You have to be realistic’. That’s not how I am. I always back my ability. I always go out there believing I can win. I still feel I can produce a level that’s pretty high.”
Kyrgios was far less bullish about his prospects in the aftermath of his singles defeat – and not about his actual competitiveness, but rather whether his body can hold up.
Funnily enough, he even said “reality” sunk in, a similar phrase he was so annoyed at Mahut using about him.
Kyrgios’ exit from the Brisbane tournament sucked significant life out of it because there has never been any doubt about what he brings to every event he plays.
There were grown men screaming between points that they loved him, for goodness’ sake.
Kyrgios told us that he is not taking his return for granted, and is loving being back playing, but this comeback very much seems like it will be for a good time, not a long time.
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