As he prepares to make one of the most anticipated comebacks in tennis, Nick Kyrgios has declared this to be the “strongest time” for an Australian to end the nation’s longstanding grand slam drought.
And the fruits of that could be on show come the Brisbane International, when three of the nation’s leading contenders battle one of the all-time greats for the title.
Kyrgios will cast aside two years plagued by injuries – the worst of which was a serious wrist setback that required surgery – when he returns to Pat Rafter Arena.
Nick Kyrgios is coming back with a point to prove.Credit: Getty Images
The 29-year-old will be joined by fellow Australians Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson in challenging superstar Novak Djokovic, while Alex de Minaur is expected to take on the United Cup.
In Kyrgios’ absence, during which he maintained a protected world ranking of No.21, the rest of the quartet rose to the top 30 and now appear set to garner Australian Open seedings.
Kyrgios believed the retirements of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – and the slight decline of 37-year-old Djokovic – had created the most open field in 20 years, after the four champions claimed 66 of the past 79 major trophies.
This year’s Australian and US Open wins for Jannik Sinner, plus Carlos Alcaraz’s triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon, marked the first time since 2003 that none of the “Big Four” had prevailed.
And Kyrgios was adamant the calibre of competition they would face in Brisbane from December 29 would lay the building blocks for the country’s first grand slam victor since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
“It’s awesome to see the depth of Australian tennis. I always knew Demon [de Minaur] was going to be carrying the flag, he’s got another 10 to 12 years – I could see him playing until he’s 40,” Kyrgios said.
“Alexei, what he did in the Masters, Thanasi [Kokkinakis] is coming back from injury … I genuinely think this is the strongest time.
“To win a grand slam back in the day, that was my prime. To beat Roger, Rafa and Novak in the same tournament was unheard of.
“Now it’s more open, and I think that where Australian tennis is … we’re all capable of making a run at a grand slam.”
Kyrgios pledged to bring his renowned energy and unpredictability, emphasising that “whether it’s good or bad”, spectators thrived on the “what if” factor.
But while the 2022 Wimbledon finalist will take on a field also boasting Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Frances Tiafoe and Holger Rune in Brisbane, he revealed his signature serve was firing and would enable him to perform at a top level.
“I always surprise myself – sometimes I play my best tennis without playing a match,” Kyrgios said.
“There’s going to be some nerves and rustiness, and obviously being able to close out on big points, I’m assuming that stuff will take time. But the way I’m hitting it now, I’ve never hit it as good.
“I really wish I didn’t get the injuries. I could taste the grand slam, I’d found what had worked for me … winning became a culture in our team.
“As athletes, injuries come and go, [and] I think it’s made me a stronger person.”
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