Nick Kyrgios announced his intention this week to play at the French Open at the end of this month in what would be an unprecedented move but it is understood that isn't all what it seems.
Kyrgios has not played at Roland Garros in eight years and while he will return to the courts of Paris, it won't be in singles unless the FFT decide they need further star power in the men's draw.
The Australian has often flirted with the idea of returning to clay during his career even during his aborted comebacks including last year when he mooted about taking his girlfriend at the time Costeen Hatzi to Paris.
But like his comeback it never happened until this year. He last played in March losing to Karen Khachanov at the Miami Open and given he is one now to manage his schedule due to his wrist issue, it was likely we wouldn't see him until grass.
But now Kyrgios has set tongues wagging by posting his Instagram story that he was heading to Paris which saw many think he was about to play on clay for the first time in many years.
"Just getting into training, getting ready to head to Paris in three weeks," Kyrgios said on social media.
He will but he won't be playing in singles as he doesn't have the ranking or protected ranking to even get into qualifying. This point as a result made the whole situation a bit odd but James Gray of The I Paper in the UK reported that he plans to play doubles with fellow Aussie Jordan Thompson.
So it won't be the Special K's tandem with Thanasi Kokkinakis undergoing pectoral surgery recently. But with Max Purcell who got banned from the sport this week out of the picture, Thompson needs a new partner.
Both Kyrgios and Thompson branded the ban a joke and both will team up likely in a bid to hold the fort down in Purcell's absence. But while he will play doubles, he is unlikely to play singles.
This is due also to the stringent policy of the FFT who have been criticised for this in the past of only offering wildcards to their home hopes. Emma Raducanu, Caroline Wozniacki are just some of the names who have snubbed the tournament as a whole due to not getting a wildcard and not wanting to play qualifying.
Bianca Andreescu for instance this summer will be the latest who has to play qualifying as she doesn't have the protected ranking or likely wildcard status unless Tennis Canada step in. The same can be said for Tennis Australia for Kyrgios but it seems likely fans will get to see him in Paris but not in the main draw.
Nick Kyrgios is to end an eight-year absence from the French Open, I understand.
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) May 1, 2025
Plans to play doubles with fellow Aussie Jordan Thompson at Roland Garros, pair also expected to play Wimbledon together.
Not currently signed up for RG singles, would need a WC at this point.
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