Nick Kyrgios comeback bid gathers steam with Kooyong Tennis Classic added to World Tennis League appearance

Nick Kyrgios seems to be gearing up to play in the Australian Open in the coming months after he added another exhibition to his schedule for the coming weeks. He will play at the Kooyong Tennis Classic in the week before the Australian Open instead of a likely appearance at Fan Week it seems.

Kyrgios, from Canberra has not played competitively since Miami in March after a brief comeback that saw him play in Brisbane, Melbourne and Indian Wells after almost two years in the tennis doldrums.

Albeit the 2022 Wimbledon finalist who was plagued by chronic knee soreness and then a wrist injury in a double whammy after the best moment of his career had surgery on his wrist and had to abort his comeback early when pain returned in his knee.

The only other action he was confirmed for was in fact his Battle of the Sexes exhibition match with Aryna Sabalenka. He told AAP recently as per Fox Sports that he feels capable of playing professionally again in what he calls a miracle.

“Like around that Washington period (in late July) I really didn’t have hope to be able to play AO or just ever get back to that point of where I felt comfortable and competing and really letting my body go,” he said.

“But something in the last month, I don’t know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night and something really has changed with my knee. Like it’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session.”

Kyrgios joins a star studded field that includes Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, Donna Vekic, Matteo Berrettini, Daniela Hantuchova among others in what is a return for the event after a year out with the near closure of Kooyong Tennis Club which had nothing to do with the exhibition tournament but stalled it. Their tournament director spoke of delight at Kyrgios being involved.

“It’s great to see Nick back playing singles,” Johnston, an experienced tennis administrator who runs several tournaments in Asia, said.

“He brings a level of shot-making genius and showmanship you simply don’t see every day. When he walks on court, you know something memorable is going to happen. It’s great to welcome him back to Kooyong.”

Albeit Kyrgios is all well and good playing exhibitions but he now needs to do so on the match court which like anything is easier said than done. He played 52 matches in 2022 when he felt on the brink of achieving his best. Albeit he has played just six matches at the top level over the past six months. That will get ramped up though as he is due to play Tommy Paul at Madison Square Garden, then he goes to India for World Tennis League leading into Christmas.

This is followed by the Battle of the Sexes match albeit he is yet to confirm any competitive action. He is unlikely to play Brisbane it seems picking Kooyong instead.

“Kooyong continues to attract players who want proper match preparation before the Australian Open,” Johnston said.

“With Nick joining the line-up and several new names still to be added, this year’s field offers strong matchups and plenty for fans to follow.”