Kyrgios to Play First ATP Tour Match in 10 Months

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is poised to make his ATP Tour return at the Brisbane International after nearly a year away from competitive tennis. The 30-year-old has been granted a wildcard entry into the tournament, marking his first official match since March 2025.

Kyrgios’ absence has been primarily due to fitness and injury issues, limiting him to just five singles matches over the past year. His last ATP Tour match came at the Miami Open, where he was defeated in the second round by Karen Khachanov.

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Pre-Brisbane Warm-Up: Battle of the Sexes Exhibition

Before competing in Brisbane, Kyrgios will appear in a high-profile “Battle of the Sexes”-style exhibition against women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka on 28 December. The exhibition has already sparked debate in the tennis world but will be broadcast live on BBC One, giving fans an early glimpse of Kyrgios’ form ahead of the ATP Tour return.

“This match is a unique opportunity to showcase tennis in a fun and competitive way,” said Kyrgios, who is using the event to regain match sharpness before the start of the new season.

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Kooyong Classic and Australian Open Ambitions

Following Brisbane, Kyrgios will compete in the Kooyong Classic, a traditional warm-up exhibition in Melbourne held in January, as he gears up for a potential return to the Australian Open.

The former Wimbledon finalist has struggled with injuries in recent years, including recurring knee, shoulder, and back issues, which have significantly affected his ATP ranking, now standing at world number 673. Without a protected ranking, Kyrgios will require wildcard entries to compete in both Brisbane and the 2026 Australian Open, highlighting the challenges he faces in reclaiming his top-tier status.

Since his Wimbledon final in 2022, Kyrgios has played only one Grand Slam match, a first-round loss to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley at Melbourne Park in January 2025, underlining the impact of injuries on his career trajectory.

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Path Forward for Kyrgios

Despite a difficult year, Kyrgios’ upcoming schedule indicates his determination to return to elite competitive tennis. The Brisbane International and subsequent exhibitions provide him with opportunities to regain match fitness, rebuild confidence, and potentially climb back up the ATP rankings.

Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Kyrgios can recapture the form that saw him reach a Grand Slam final and consistently challenge the world’s top players.