Flamboyant Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios admits he might not even make the Australian Open, and if he does, he will need a “miracle” to go far in the tournament.
The polarizing 29-year-old was knocked out in the first round of the Brisbane International, losing to French giant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Although Kyrgios possesses great playing power, he struggled to return his opponent's serve 203 centimeters, who took the victory after all three sets were played in a tiebreak.
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The encounter was a major test for Kyrgios' right wrist, which he underwent surgery on in 2023, keeping him out of action for nearly 18 months.
A 2022 Wimbledon finalist, Kyrgios says he is working with his physiotherapist for up to four hours a day in preparation for his summer return.
Nick Kyrgios reacts during the Brisbane International. Getty
Although he still wants to take the court in Melbourne in less than two weeks, there is a real possibility he won't be able to do so.
“I was really excited to play the Australian Open, but after today… obviously I'm [toujours] very excited. If I can play, I will play. But reality is starting to set in,” Kyrgios said after his defeat.
“(The Brisbane International) is played in three sets [max]. With my wrist, a grand slam is not only mentally exhausting, because you're there for two to three weeks, but physically it's a real challenge.
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“Winning a grand slam in men's tennis is one of the hardest things to achieve in any sport.
“I think I almost need a miracle, and the stars need to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam, that's for sure.
“Today, if it was a grand slam, we could still be on court, and I don't know how I would recover the next day or the day after that.”
Kyrgios reached his professional peak at the famous All England Club two and a half years ago, and many have long believed he has the talent to win a grand slam if the circumstances are right.
However, at 29 years old and with his body starting to give up, time seems to be slipping through his fingers little by little.
“It's almost laughable, in the sense that my wrist needs so much care to just go out and play a first round,” Kyrgios admitted.
“I'll see how my wrist reacts after this week's load… First, it's my priority.
“If it goes well, we'll start getting things back on the courts, working again, and then we'll go to Melbourne… Honestly, I don't have any plans after the Australian Open as far as tennis is concerned.
“I'm pretty confident about my ability to play at the Australian Open. It all depends on how my body reacts, how much tennis I can play.”
“I guess what I'll do is go home (to Canberra) for a few days to prepare for the Open.”
Kyrgios will play his second round doubles match in Brisbane alongside Novak Djokovic on Wednesday.
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