"Seeing everyone play wasn't easy": Kyrgios reflects on tough five months as return from surgery approaches in Stuttgart

Nick Kyrgios is getting ready to return to tennis as he is set to play at the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart which will be his first event since his injury earlier this year.

Kyrgios missed the Australian Open due to an injury which required surgery in order to get better. It was the knee that bothered him and after trying to play on it, Kyrgios realized that it wasn't going to go well and opted for the surgery. Speaking at the 250 event, the Aussie admitted that it wasn't a major surgery but it still required a long recovery:

"I wouldn’t say it was major surgery, but I had quite a serious surgery on my knee. It's taken me about five months to get back to even playing, moving and [ready to play] against these players."

Not being able to play was tough but he also got a chance to spend time at home with his family and that's one of his favourite things to do:

"It’s been difficult, but at times it’s been amazing just to be home with my family. Tennis is a sport where you travel so much of the year and being home, for me, was important. But seeing everyone [else] play wasn’t easy at times. I’m just super excited that my knee is a bit better and I’m able to play now."

Being able to return on grass is a major thing for Kyrgios because it's always been one of his favourite parts of the year. He's looking forward to playing on it and preparing for Wimbledon.

"The grass season for me is always the best part of the year. This year has been really tough for me, obviously recovering from knee surgery. I’m coming back at a tournament [where] I’ve done really well in the past, played some amazing matches. The crowd is always really supportive, and the atmosphere is really good. I’m super excited to be here again and to get out there and play the sport that I’ve been working so hard to get back to."