“I’m very thrilled to be back”: Nick Kyrgios sends warning on grass with straight-sets win in Stuttgart comeback

Nick Kyrgios marked his return to competitive singles with a straight-sets win over Corentin Moutet at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, signaling a notable step forward after a prolonged spell away from the tour. The Australian, competing on a wildcard and without ranking protection, controlled the match from the opening games.

He won 6-3, 6-4 in 69 minutes, avoiding break points throughout and repeatedly neutralising Moutet’s return games with high first-serve efficiency. The result represented his first singles victory since March 2025 and his first on grass since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022.

Kyrgios entered the event having played no competitive singles for six months, following a sustained period disrupted by knee and wrist surgeries. Despite the physical setbacks, his level on serve and movement suggested a player capable of immediate impact on grass.

After the match, Kyrgios underlined the emotional weight of his return, stating: “Quite emotional moment. I had a lot of surgeries and I’m very thrilled to be back.”

The match was largely defined by Kyrgios’ serve, which set the tone from the opening games. He secured an early break in the first set and never allowed Moutet to establish rhythm on return. His delivery varied in speed and placement, limiting the Frenchman’s ability to read patterns or extend rallies under pressure.

Kyrgios did not face a single break point across the match, a statistical marker of control that underlined the gap between his service games and Moutet’s return effectiveness. The Australian’s aggressive positioning behind the first serve repeatedly forced short replies, allowing him to dictate points early and avoid extended baseline exchanges.

In his own assessment of his condition ahead of the tournament, Kyrgios had indicated: “I feel great and motivated,” a sentiment reflected in the clarity of execution throughout the match. His first-set serving performance, widely consistent in tempo and precision, prevented any meaningful momentum shifts from the opposition.

“I had a wrist reconstruction, I had four knee surgeries. But I’m back mostly because of the fans. I staying for you guys,” the former Wimbledno champion finalist. “Quite emotional moment. I had a lot of surgeries and I’m very thrilled to be back.”

Kyrgios’ return carries broader significance given his recent injury history and limited match exposure over the past two seasons. The Australian was the Wimbledon finalist in 2022, a campaign that marked the peak of his grass-court form, but subsequent knee and wrist issues significantly reduced his competitive continuity.

Since late 2022, recurring physical setbacks have restricted his ability to maintain a consistent schedule, with rehabilitation periods frequently interrupting attempts at full tour reintegration. His Stuttgart appearance represents one of the first sustained indicators that he can withstand match intensity again, particularly on a surface that minimises prolonged physical stress.

Grass remains the most tactically suitable environment for Kyrgios, with his serve-and-first-strike game style translating more efficiently than on slower courts. The absence of extended baseline exchanges reduces strain on his lower body while amplifying the value of his first delivery and short-point construction.

Beyond the scoreline, Kyrgios’ performance included several key competitive indicators suggesting readiness for higher-level opposition. He recorded an early break in each set, immediately applying scoreboard pressure and forcing Moutet into reactive patterns rather than neutral exchanges.

Moutet struggled to generate break opportunities, finishing the match without a single break point, a reflection of Kyrgios’ serve dominance and effective first-shot follow-ups. The Australian’s ability to prevent extended rallies was central to maintaining control throughout the 69-minute contest.

The match also included moments of improvisation typical of Kyrgios’ playing style, including drop shots and unconventional shot selection, though these did not compromise structural control. His next challenge will come against Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro, a match that will further test whether his level can be sustained beyond a single-round return.