(VIDEO) He's back! Nick Kyrgios returns to court training ahead of Sabalenka 'Battle of the Sexes'
ATP
The return to the courts for Nick Kyrgios is drawing closer. He recently shared a training video on the tennis courts ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition he will play against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a few weeks. The Australian will return after five months since his last appearance.
After a notable 2022 season—in which he reached his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon—the Australian once again faced injuries, as has happened several times in his career. He underwent multiple surgeries, and between 2023 and 2024, he only managed to play one match at the Boss Open in June 2023, falling to Wu Yibing in straight sets.
Since then, he attempted a comeback several times but ended up withdrawing before stepping onto the court. The Australian himself previously admitted that he seriously considered retirement during the injury period, but he finally prepared for his return in early 2025, though without much luck in terms of results.
His first appearance was at the Brisbane International, where he played the doubles draw with Novak Djokovic (eliminated in the round of 16). He returned to the singles court against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, in a more than decent performance that ended in a three-tie-break victory for the Frenchman.
A few weeks later, Kyrgios attended the Australian Open but suffered a first-round defeat against Jacob Fearnley in straight sets. In doubles, he couldn't even finish the match alongside his partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, as they retired in the second set due to physical discomfort from Kyrgios. The 30-year-old played the Sunshine Double, securing his only win of the year at the Miami Open against Mackenzie McDonald.
The former world No. 13's last appearance was at the DC Open, where he had a fleeting partnership with veteran Frenchman Gaël Monfils, with them being eliminated in the first round by doubles specialists Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys.
Unique Exhibition: Kyrgios returns to face world No. 1 Sabalenka
Although Kyrgios has not made much news with his results on the court for years, he remains one of the most compelling names on the Tour, recognized as a unique talent in his generation. The Australian seemed to be mending his path after the notable 2022 season, but injuries prevented him from returning to his best level in the following years.
A couple of months ago, his return to the courts was announced for an interesting exhibition, the Battle of the Sexes, emulating the historic match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, in which the WTA founder ultimately won in straight sets—a direct precedent to the creation of the WTA and the struggle of female tennis players for equal pay.
In an intriguing move, Kyrgios will face world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka—undoubtedly the most in-form player of the last two seasons. The match will be played on December 28th in Dubai, in a best-of-three-sets format with a 10-point deciding tie-break if necessary.
There will also be an innovation regarding the court, as announced by the organization behind the exhibition: the Evolve agency, owned by former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, which represents Kyrgios and Sabalenka, among other players like teenager Iva Jovic, Eva Lys, and Anna Kalinskaya.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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