"Will be determined closer to the event": Optimism wanes of Nick Kyrgios return at 2024 Australian Open as Craig Tiley gives update

The doubts continue to mount around the return or lack there of Nick Kyrgios who has been out of action since Stuttgart in June and didn't play the rest of the season.

Kyrgios who recently was seen as a bright spark on the Tennis Channel's coverage of the ATP Finals would've been hoping to return at the Australian Open. But unlike Rafael Nadal who Craig Tiley was optimistic would play, it will be a last minute decision again for Kyrgios.

The 28-year-old said last week that the stars would need to align for him to play at the Australian Open as he still needs to wear a splint on his serving arm for another month. This means a return towards Indian Wells and Miami is more likely, but of course for Tiley given the draw of the entertaining Aussie, he wants him in Melbourne.

“We have spoken to Nick and he obviously wants to do the best he possibly can to give himself the best chance to play in January ... Nick’s position will be determined closer to the event,” Tiley said.

“Whether he’s playing, whether he’s doing something else, Nick will be here in January and to get him to play will be great, but we’ve got to take it as it comes and he’s got to take care of his health because he’s not just got January, he’s got the entire year.”

He wouldn't answer specifically whether Kyrgios would get a wildcard as well, but said that it would likely benefit him in the long run if it does.

“We have wildcard exchanges with the French and Wimbledon, so there’s an opportunity to really help an Australian player not just have one tournament to go into but several, so we’ll weigh that all up to make a decision - we’ve got wildcards to do that,” he continued.

“I think whatever gets him the best chance to progress during the year.”