Nick Kyrgios is finally making his return to tennis after a long spell of injury woes, with the Aussie star lining up at the Stuttgart Open on Wednesday morning as he prepares for another Wimbledon tilt.
The 28-year-old, who is the eighth seed in the tournament, will face China’s Wu Yibing in Germany for what will be his first singles match since the Japan Open last October.
The tennis badboy pulled out of the Australian Open to have surgery for a debilitating knee injury, and it’s been a long way back for the outspoken star.
He had a cyst removed and a small meniscus tear repaired, but suffered some setbacks in the recovery, delaying his return to court.
But after countless hours playing Pokemon and enjoying his mother’s (Nil) cooking at the family home in Canberra, Kyrgios is finally ready to use his racket again as he prepares for another shot at a Wimbledon title.
Nick Kyrgios, photographed last month with partner Costeen Hatzi at Australian Fashion Week, is finally about to make his much-anticipated return to court
The Aussie has not played in singles since the Japan Open in October, but will return to Germany for the Stuttgart Open on Wednesday morning to begin the grass-court season
“This year has been really tough for me, obviously recovering from knee surgery,” Kyrgios told reporters ahead of his return to court on Wednesday morning (AEST).
“Coming back to a tournament (where) I’ve done really well in the past, played great games.
“I’m super excited to be here again and to get out there and play.”
Kyrgios took to social media to share his excitement about returning to the big, wide world of tennis, saying he “missed his fans” while practicing on the Stuttgart courts.
Kyrgios, a two-time semi-finalist at the tournament, revealed it had been a difficult period on the sidelines after what was clearly a career year in 2022.
“I wouldn’t say it was major surgery, but I had pretty major surgery on my knee. It’s taken me about five months to get back to playing evenly, moving and (ready to play) against these players,” he said.
“It was hard, but sometimes it was great just to be home with my family.
“Tennis is a sport where you travel for a good part of the year and being home was important to me, but it wasn’t easy to see everyone (others) play at times.
“I’m just super excited that my knee is a little bit better and I can play now.”
It comes after the Aussie paid tribute to the man who ended his Wimbledon dream last year: Novak Djokovic.
The Serb claimed a record 23rd Grand Slam title when he beat Casper Ruud in the French Open final – and Kyrgios joked it was because of some brilliant advice he gave him at the time.
Kyrgios (right) paid tribute to close friend Novak Djokovic (left) after his recent French Open win, meaning he holds the most individual men’s Grand Slam titles in history
The pair, pictured after Djokovic beat him in the 2022 Wimbledon final, often take cheeky jokes at each other on social media
Kyrgios posted this photo of him (right) giving advice to the ‘GOAT’ (left) on how to play on clay courts, cheekily suggesting his advice helped him win another French Open
Congratulations Novak Djokovic. From asking me (for) advice about the clay to winning the French open again. Proud of you mate, I’m always here love coach ‘Kygs,'” the Aussie captioned a photo of the two together on a clay court many years ago.
Djokovic, who of course defeated the Aussie in last year’s Wimbledon final, returned brilliantly.
“Same here brother. If you need any advice on grass, I’m here,” he replied, sporting crying smiling face emojis.
The pair have an entertaining relationship and often get cheeky swipes at each other as they are two of the most recognizable figures in the game.
Earlier this year, Djokovic even joked that he would really like to coach the inconsistent Aussie, who is undeniably talented but inconsistent in his effort and approach to the game.
“I would like to coach Kyrgios. He would have won five Grand Slams with me, but it would have cost him dear,” the Serb told reporters at the Srpska Open, joking about what would be an eye-watering price tag.