Nick Kyrgios plans to return to competitive tennis this December in Abu Dhabi, aiming to silence his critics by winning a Grand Slam. The 29-year-old Australian, who once ranked as high as world number 13, has played just one ATP Tour singles match over the past two years due to knee, foot, and wrist injuries.
Despite hinting at retirement several times, Kyrgios has confirmed he will participate in the World Tennis League before setting his sights on the 2024 Australian Open. Reflecting on his career achievements, including a Grand Slam doubles title and reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022, Kyrgios emphasized that a Grand Slam victory in singles is now his main motivation.
In 2022, Kyrgios reached his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, where he lost in four sets to Novak Djokovic. While he has faced challenges in an era dominated by Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, Kyrgios believes the competition is now more open, especially following Nadal’s recent retirement and Djokovic approaching 37.
Known for his fiery temperament and on-court outbursts early in his career, Kyrgios rejected the label of “bad boy,” attributing his reputation to being different from traditional tennis players. He also feels that public perception has shifted positively over time.
