“The last match that made me feel something strong”: Nick Kyrgios opens up on a chaotic 2025 comeback

Nick Kyrgios returned to the ATP Tour in early 2025 carrying the weight of nearly two years of injury struggles and rehabilitation. His comeback began in Brisbane, where he partnered Novak Djokovic in doubles and pushed rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to the edge in singles before falling in a narrow 6–7, 7–6, 6–7 battle. The performance suggested promise, but it also reminded him of the emotional cost of 18 months away.

The Australian’s start to the season quickly became turbulent. After Brisbane, he suffered a straight-sets loss to Jacob Fearnley in the Australian Open first round, followed by a recurrence of his injury that forced him off the courts for two months. His return in Indian Wells ended abruptly when he was forced to retire midway through the second set against Botic van de Zandschulp, underlining just how fragile his comeback remained.

Miami briefly reignited optimism. Kyrgios battled past Mackenzie McDonald for his first Masters 1000 win since 2022, a moment that reminded him of who he once was—and who he still believes he can be. “The last match that made me feel something strong was probably my match earlier this year against Mackenzie McDonald in Miami,” the former Wimbledon runner-up said to the UTS Tour. “Obviously I went through a lot of years being injured and coming back, and winning a match at Masters level was very special for me.”

Yet his second-round match delivered another harsh setback, with Karen Khachanov outlasting him 7–6, 6–0. Days later, Kyrgios announced another injury setback, forcing him out of the clay and grass swings entirely. His long-awaited return in Washington, where he played doubles with Gaël Monfils, ended in another opening-round exit.

The US Open was meant to mark the turning point, but the Australian was again forced to withdraw, leaving him off the Tour entirely since late summer. The stop-start nature of 2025 has challenged Kyrgios in ways perhaps even more frustrating than the complete absence of 2024, yet he continues to confront both physical and emotional turbulence head-on. For him, every match has become a reminder of resilience and identity, even when defeats pile up faster than momentum. “I went through a lot of years being injured,” he said, emphasising how much even a small breakthrough still meant.

Despite his disrupted season, Kyrgios will step back into the spotlight on December 28 when he faces World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a high-profile Battle of the Sexes exhibition. The matchup has sparked attention across the sport, and the Australian knows exactly what it represents. Speaking to AAP, Kyrgios revealed the unusual pressure male players placed on him during a recent trip. “I was in Hong Kong recently and a lot of the male players were like, ‘Look, you’re representing all of us.’ So here I am in the firing line again.”

For Kyrgios, pressure isn’t new. Throughout his career he has lived inside headlines, controversies and expectations, but this event presents a different kind of spotlight. He understands the scrutiny, but he embraces it, using it to fuel his competitive fire even as he steps into unfamiliar territory. The Australian has always treated exhibition events with showmanship and honesty—an approach fans expect he will bring again. “I’m not a stranger to taking the heat from the media, but I’m excited whatever the result may be.”